‘Legally Blonde’ Turns Round Barn Stage Pink
NAPPANEE — The stage at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee has turned pink. That’s because Elle Woods (Kristin Brintnall) likes pink.
Even her chihuahua, Bruiser (Nappanee’s own Oxford) finds himself bedecked in pink. The production is meant to entertain and pull laughs from the audience. I can honestly say it had the audience “tickled pink.”
Elle is about to graduate from UCLA, with a major in fashion merchandising. When her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, (Ryan Schisler), dumps her because he’s off to Harvard and wants someone more serious; someone more qualified to be a senator’s wife. She loves him and wants to prove him wrong. So she decides she, too, will go to Harvard. There, however, the other students make fun of her clothing choices; she’s always dressed in pink and that is inappropriate for Harvard law.
Elle soon discovers Warner, her one true love, is dating Vivenne Kensington (Lauren Morgan) and she’s confused. She wants him back.
After being tossed out of class a number of time, Elle, with the help of new found friend Emmett Forrest (Ian Connor). becomes serious. The professor likes her answers and Elle is selected to be an intern on Professor Callahan’s staff. He is defending Brooke Wyndham (Mikaela Brielle) who is accused of murdering her husband. Brooke said she didn’t do it. In court Elle is brilliant as she works to prove Brooke innocent.
The audience is also introduced to Paulette Buonuforte (Katherine Barnes) a messed-up cosmetologist; and Kyle, (Martin Flowers) a UPS delivery man, who captures Paulette’s heart.
Brintnall is the perfect Elle. She’s so pink. So funny. So dazzling. So enjoyable to watch. Schisler turns in a first-rate performance as a snob. Morgan is entertaining as a rich girl who changes sides during the production. She’s exceptional as always. Connor again shows he is extraordinarily talented as a poor guy who has worked his way through Harvard.
Barnes and Flowers make an unusual couple. They add more laughs to the musical. Both are a cut above as Paulette works to get over her former romance and swoons over Kyle when he enters her shop.
Popping in and out of the production are Serena (Brittni Rhodes), Margot (Alli Atkensen) and Pilar (Akira Watanabe), the Greek Chorus. The trio is at UCLA and then makes the trip to Harvard with Elle. Their voices blend to perfection on such songs as “Daughters of Delta Nu,” “So Much Better” and “Bend and Snap.”
All of the songs were written for this show and all are done to perfection. Brintnall and Schisler team up for “Serious,” sung just before Warner dumps Elle and Barnes recalls ”Ireland,” while Brintnall and Connor join their voices for “Legally Blonde.”
Space doesn’t allow me to list all of the more than 20 actors who made this production another Round Barn Theatre success story. A tip of the hat to all for a great job. I don’t recall the poodle’s name but Oxford made the perfect Bruiser while capturing the hearts of the audience.
Directed and choreographed by Mike Fielder, the show is funny. It’s fast moving. The dances are energetic. It provides a relaxing evening of entertainment.
Go see it, you will be glad you did. It is on stage through July 16. For tickets call (800) 800-4942 or online at amishacers.com.