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Act I
June 2
Once upon a time, there was
a little novel called "Legally Blonde", which charted the course of a
fish (with Chihuahua) out of water law student who followed her
boyfriend from the malls of Malibu to the halls of justice.... and it
was good.
The novel begat a movie starring Reese Witherspoon as the title
descriptive... and it too was good. So good, in fact, that like "The
Wedding Singer" before it, it was made into a Broadway musical.
My sister will swear by the movie. The musical... not so much.
But that didn't stop the musical's star, Laura Bell Bundy, from getting
a Tony nomination out of the deal. Unfortunately, Bundy will vacate the
role she made famous on Broadway in July. But the chances of getting
this coveted role... less than one percent.
That's where this show comes in, as, in true reality form, a group of
wanna-blondes are whittled down to one triple threat. In eight weeks,
the person who can out-act, out-sing, and out-dance the competition will
be headlining the production.
Hosting these shenanigans is Haylie Duff, an actress that has been here
before... in "Hairspray." You may know her as "Hilary's less-seen older
sister." She says that Broadway is exhausting, but there's no greater
reward than to be on the Broadway stage. Judging them, legendary
Broadway director Jerry Mitchell, who says that casting will fall on
him.
And it begins right now. In a moment, only 15 will stand where 50 are
dancing.
Cassie O: 22, Toledo, OH
Emma: 26: New York City (her parents were in the original production of
"Grease")
Rhiannon: 19, Logan, UT
Bailey: 20, Anderson, SC
... and 11 more that I guess we'll meet later. Hopefully not too much
later, because at the end of the day, five more will hit the highway.
Next up... singing. Helping them, Broadway vocal coach Seth Rudetsky.
They'll sing "So Much Better" from the musical. a) It's phenomenally
high, and b) it ends with a note-that-shook-the-heavens.
Rachel (20, Orlando) brags that she released a Christian album before
and her singing abilities are a 10. That doesn't matter if she can't
follow one Broadway rule: "To be early is to be on time; to be on time
to be late; to be late is unacceptable." Autumn (28, Mesa, AZ) takes
this to heart, as does Natalie (24, Malibu, CA). Mary (22, Rock Hill,
SC)... is holding a note for dear life, she's taking it...
Now for more dancing, in record time no doubt. Cassie S (19, Los
Angeles) calls this second nature. She says she has the "awesome
blossom" personality to back her skills up. Lindsey (24, chicago) has
never danced THIS much. Neither has Celina (28, San Francisco)
But now that it's over, it's time to meet the show's panel of judges
who'll be making all of the decisions from here on out (C-Note: because
let's face it, America... we saw what you did to "Grease"...). They are
casting director and Broadway legend Bernie Telsey, the writer of
"Legally Blonde: The Musical" Heather Hach, and actor Paul Canaan... who
very well could be the winner's co-star.
First up, dancing in groups of five. Lauren (18, Rochester, MI) finds
this easy. Rhiannon... not so much. Libby (22, Maumee, OH) thinks being
a natural blonde should come into play. Think again. Natalie thinks good
things come in small packages. Not according to the judges, who say that
things got worse as they go along.
Now for more singing, whom some believe will be their saving grace.
They're going to have to nail that long-ass note at the end... all by
themselves. Rhiannon gets a 6.5 out of 10, but the judges call her
adorable. Cassie S is more or less a 4. Bailey... is a 2 with
potential... Judges are enamored, though. Mary... screwed the last note.
Auditions continue with Natalie, Libby, Mara, Cassie, Celina, Autumn,
Lindsey, and Laura... in that order. Singing a note for 16 bars after
singing with so much energy beforehand... three words: Looks easy...
isn't.
Chloe (18, Los Angeles) wants this more than anyone... Join the club.
The note, which tails off at the end, isn't going to do you any favors.
Rachel sings like a robot. Emma, though, is the one that everyone was
watching from day 1, because she has a pedigree... Well, so much for the
pedigree... She blames her flatness on there being no air in the
theatre.
The judges liked Lauren, Bailey, Rhiannon, and Emma... but at the same
time, they don't like them because they're either goofy or non-talented
or they look like Reese Witherspoon... Their words.
Meanwhile, the 15 wait backstage for word on their fate. Only 10 will
move forward after...
THE CUT...
Bailey steps forward... and is SAFE.
Lindsey steps forward... and is also SAFE.
Cassie O steps forward... third one SAFE. Autumn and Natalie join her.
Celina... joins the five downstairs in the dressing room. Nine left.
Chloe... is the first one CUT.
Emma... is SAFE. Seven left for three slots...
Libby... is CUT.
Cassie S... is SAFE.
Mary... is CUT.
Mara (23, San Diego)... is CUT. No surprise, as we saw all 10 seconds of
her previously.
Two spots left. One of them is going to.... Lauren.
That leaves Rhiannon and Rachel. One of them moves on in the
competition. Other goes home broken and humiliated. Rhiannon steps
forward... and she moves on. Rachel is going home.
So we have the final 10. And we have a surprise for them... a stretch
Hummer that pulls outside of the Palace, the Broadway theatre where
Legally Blonde plays. And outside waiting for them... Laura Bell Bundy.
She says it's fun, and it's totally worth it.
But only one will get to stand where she stood. Who? Find out soon...
FACT FILE
Host: Haylie Duff & Jerry Mitchell
Judges: Paul Canaan, Heather Hach, Bernie Telsey
Creator: Jerry Mitchell
EP: Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops, Amanda Lipitz, Haylie Duff, Adam Paul
Packagers: Reveille for MTV Original Series Development
Website:
legallyblonde.mtv.com
Airs: 10p ET Mondays on MTV
Origin: 37 Arts, New York City
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