As previously reported by Playbill.com, the MTV network – which brought Legally Blonde to millions of viewers this past October – has now joined forces with producers of the Broadway musical to find an undiscovered young talent who will eventually assume the role of Chihuahua-toting Elle Woods, which was created on Broadway by Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy.
Casting directors are seeking young women age 18 and over who can convincingly play ages 18-30. Those auditioning must have strong acting, dancing and vocal abilities, with experience in musical theatre a plus. However, participants in the program will be trained by professionals (yet to be announced), so MTV states "raw talent" is welcome.
Candidates must be available from mid-February through mid-March for taping.
Performers are asked to prepare the standard 16-bar cut of one contemporary pop song and one ballad. Individuals must also provide their own sheet music and bring a headshot and resume. MTV assures brunettes, redheads and other non-blondes that they also have a shot at portraying the platinum leading role, and should not be discouraged from auditioning.
The nationwide dates for MTV's Legally Blonde casting are Jan. 24 at Los Angeles' Millennium Dance Complex (www.millenniumdancecomplex.com); Jan. 28 at both Chicago's Victory Gardens Biograph Theater (www.victorygardens.org), as well as Orlando's New Dimensions Dance Company; Feb. 4 at the Nashville Dinner Theater (www.nashvilledinnertheater.com) and finally, Legally Blonde comes home to New York on Feb. 4 with open auditions at New World Stages (www.newworldstages.com). Auditioners will be called back the day following their audition in their respective cities. Questions regarding auditions and dates can be submitted to [email protected].
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Legally Blonde currently stars Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods. Bundy and her co-stars Christian Borle (Emmett), Orfeh (Paulette), Richard H. Blake (Warner), Kate Shindle (Vivienne), Nikki Snelson (Brooke) and Michael Rupert (Professor Callahan), have all extended their contracts through the spring. Their exit dates were not announced.
The current Legally Blonde cast also features Haven Burton, Tracy Jai Edwards, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Natalie Joy Johnson, Nathan Balser, April Berry, Paul Canaan, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Cara Cooper, Beth Curry, Amber Efé, Gaelen Gilliland, Jason Gillman, Becky Gulsvig, Rod Harrelson, Manuel Herrera, Andy Karl, Nick Kenkel, Michelle Kittrell, Rusty Mowery, Kevin Pariseau, Matthew Risch, Bryce Ryness and Kate Wetherhead.
The production is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, featuring a score by Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy: The Musical) and Nell Benjamin (Sarah, Plain and Tall), with a book by Heather Hach (the film "Freaky Friday").
The score includes "Omigod You Guys," "Serious," "What You Want," "Harvard Variations," "Blood in the Water," "Positive, "Ireland," "Chip on My Shoulder," "So Much Better," "Whipped into Shape," "Take It Like a Man," "Bend and Snap," "There! Right There!" "Legally Blonde," "Legally Blonde Remix" and "Find My Way/Finale."
Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals and Dori Berinstein produce the show on Broadway, in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.
For more information, visit legallyblondethemusical.com.
