‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ soars into Battle Mountain

EDWARDS — Battle Mountain’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is a delightful romp through the wonders of the human heart and condition.

It runs through Saturday in the BMHS auditorium.

Lucah Katauskas is Elle Woods to her very marrow and makes you believe it. She’s blonde to begin with, but still decided to slightly shift her hairdo hue for the role.

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In “Legally Blonde The Musical,” in addition to starring, Katauskas sings, dances and is the center of attention.

“I wanted a chance to put it all together: Sing, dance, act. I wanted to do it all,” said Katauskas, who does.

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She loves to dance, but says she’s not a dancer. She is now.

As in the movie, most characters wear dark lawyer clothes. Katauskas stands out in so many ways.

And as in the movie (spoiler alert) the good guys win.

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Phoebe Walters is Brooke, the fitness guru wrongly accused of murdering her rich older husband. There’s this number where she puts a group of women through an actual fitness class, while dancing and singing.

“We’re sometimes winded afterwards,” she said.

Like all great choreography “Legally Blonde The Musical’s” is effective and engaging, but not complicated. It’s constant action and movement, but not in ways that detract from the story or performances. There is, however, a lot of it to learn.

“We had some Saturday practices to make sure we had it down,” Walters said.

Every number is memorable, particularly “Is He Gay or European?” about the cabana boy (Casey Cope), who turns out to be both.

Logan Story is Paulette, Elle’s hairdresser and confidant. She wanted this role, worked for it, auditioned for it and got it. Her alto voice is a perfect Paulette.

She’s convincing and you trust her; you’d let her stand behind you with sharp objects. And yes, there’s a delightful hair salon song about the “Bend and Snap.”

“We’ve pulled it all together,” Story said. “Everyone knows their dances, everyone knows their lines, everyone is ready.”

Ethan Pyke is Emmett Forrest, the nice guy.

“I’m the one who convinces Elle that she’s more than just a pretty face,” Pyke said.

He says he’s connected with this role.

“Emmett is sincere and nice, not flamboyant or selfish,” Pyke said, who tends to exhibit the same good qualities.

Aidan Woodworth is Warner Huntington, the guy who breaks up with Elle because she’s not serious enough for a Harvard man. That sends Elle on a mission to Harvard law school to find Warner, but instead she soon finds herself.

“I’ve been eyeing this role for a long time,” Woodworth said.

Of course he had to practice the songs, the lines and the choreography, but he also had to practice being a bit of a jerk. He’s a delightful young man and that doesn’t come naturally.

About Legally Blonde The Musical

As you should have surmised by now, “Legally Blonde” is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel “Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name.

It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She soon learns that her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial.

Throughout the show, no one has faith in Elle Woods, but she manages to surprise them when she defies expectations while staying true to herself.

BMHS will host showings at 7 p.m. today and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online (bmhs-legallyblonde.eventbrite.com) or at the door. $15 for adults, $10 for students.