Producers have announced that Legally Blonde ensemble member Gulsvig – who understudies Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in the leading role of Elle Woods – has been cast as the musical's blonde heroine, who has Harvard ambitions. Complete tour casting will be announced at a later date.
Like Bundy, Gulsvig also made her Broadway debut as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray. Her additional stage appearances include Peter Pan, Grease and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
The musical – highly popular with the 'tween crowd, thanks in part to its television debut on the MTV network last fall – features 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"). Tony Award-winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who made his directorial debut with the musical, will also direct and choreograph the tour.
Legally Blonde launches its national tour at Rhode Island's Providence Performing Arts Center (Sept. 23-28), to be followed by Baltimore, MD (Sept. 30-Oct. 12); Rochester, NY (Oct. 21-26); Schenectady, NY (Nov. 25-30); Philadelphia, PA (Dec. 2-7); Hartford, CT (Dec. 9-14); Washington, DC (Dec. 16-Jan. 11, 2009); East Lansing, MI (Jan. 13-18, 2009); St. Louis, MO (Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 2009); Houston, TX (Feb. 10-22, 2009); Orlando, FL (March 10-15, 2009); West Palm Beach, FL (March 17-22, 2009); Greenville, SC (March 24-29, 2009); Clearwater, FL (April 7-12, 2009); Durham, NC (April 14-19, 2009); Charlotte, NC (April 21-26, 2009); St. Paul, MN (April 28-May 10, 2009); Dayton, OH (June 16-21, 2009); Nashville, TN (June 23-28, 2009); Kansas City, MO (June 30-July 5, 2009); Atlanta, GA (July 14-19, 2009); Dallas, TX (July 21-Aug. 9, 2009); and Costa Mesa, CA (Sept. 8-20, 2009), with additional dates expected in the coming months.
The musical centering on the pink-clad Elle Woods who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard, has recently wrapped taping on a new MTV reality series to search for an actress to succeed Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in the principal role on Broadway. "Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods" will air on the MTV network in the near future. James Sampliner serves as music director for Legally Blonde, with orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke. The production features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller and sound design by ACME Sound Partners.
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.
