"What, like it's hard?" The Making of Ursuline's "Legally Blonde, Jr."

By Natalia Kautz ‘29 and Olivia Stella ‘26

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Unison reporters graciously share their March 2025 article, reprinted here:

From page to screen to stage, ‘Legally Blonde’ has captivated audiences with its empowering message and infectious energy. Now, the Ursuline School Drama Club is bringing ‘Legally Blonde Jr.’ to life, showcasing the talent, dedication, and passion of its cast and crew. Behind the scenes, students have poured their hearts into rehearsals, choreography, and set design, working tirelessly to recreate Elle Woods’ iconic journey. As opening night approaches, excitement is building for what promises to be a dazzling and unforgettable production.

Legally Blonde originated as a novel by Amanda Brown, published in 2001. The story quickly captured reader's hearts and was adapted into a film, released the same year, which premiered on July 13, 2001. Upon its debut, the movie was very successful at the box office, grossing around twenty million dollars on its opening weekend alone.

In addition to its success as a book and film, ‘Legally Blonde’ was transformed into a Broadway musical that premiered in 2007, further solidifying its beloved status. The vibrant and empowering themes resonate with audiences of all ages, ensuring that Legally Blonde remains a beloved classic for millions of Americans. “Everyone can find something to love in Legally Blonde Jr,” said Mr. Sylvain Falipou-Karkari, a performing arts and religion teacher and the director of the musical, “Even today, women face many difficulties in accessing higher education, so I think that this musical is very empowering, and that it resonates with the Ursuline School’s message of empowerment.”

Heartbroken after being dumped by her boyfriend Warner, who left her for someone "more serious", Elle Woods is determined to win him back. With the support of her Delta Nu sisters, she gets into Harvard Law to get back together with Warner, only to discover that he is engaged! Determined to prove herself, Elle dives into her studies. She secures an internship at a law firm, where she defends fellow Delta Nu alumnae, Brooke Windham, on trial for the murder of her husband. “The plot of the musical definitely would appeal to young adults and teenagers,” said Brady McTigue, who plays Warner in Legally Blonde Jr, “but anyone who has seen the movie or the musical before would love this adaptation.”

Adapting the classic and impactful story of Elle Woods to the Ursuline stage is certainly no mean feat, but the TUS Drama Club is up to the task. “Learning the choreography is one of the most challenging parts,” said Emily Trezza ‘26, a member of the cast of “Legally Blonde Jr.,” in an interview. “It’s such an upbeat show, and the choreo is pretty peppy to match it. I feel so sassy on stage!” True to her words, the making of Legally Blonde Jr requires an unimaginable amount of energy and effort. This musical in particular features a large cast, and incredibly intricate numbers that combine lyrical, musical, and physical expression to tell a complete narrative. It takes great dedication day after day, hour after hour, in between lunch periods, or late into the afternoon, to bring together the show into a masterpiece of passion and grit. “My favorite part by far of building a show is tech week, the week leading up to the opening night of the show, when we see the full result of the long weeks of rehearsal,” said Mr. Falipou in an interview. “Everything, from costumes and sets to lights and sound, come together all at once.”

And indeed, the true testament to the strength of the Drama Club and the success of its shows is found in the bonds between each member. Though every production comes with setbacks and difficulties, what ultimately shines through when the curtain lifts is the work of each and every member. When asked about his favorite part of directing musicals like Legally Blonde Jr, Mr Falipou said that,“The most gratifying part is seeing the smiles on people’s faces, all of the support and pride that comes from the club. I think that people should see the diversity of talent that this school has to offer.” Through graduations of old members and admissions of new, the spirit of the club has remained the same; the energy it inspires is infectious, and every new generation of the club has something to offer to make each production better than the last. “If any student has a passion for theater and is interested in joining the Drama Club,” said Leah Jibodh ‘26, a crew member of Legally Blonde Jr, in an interview, “I say, ‘Go for it!’ It’s a great opportunity to expose yourself to new possibilities and people!”

Can Elle crack the case in the courtroom and reclaim Warner’s heart? Get ready for a fun-filled adventure in Legally Blonde Jr, on March 27th at 4:30 PM, March 28th at 6:30 PM, and March 29th at 2:00 PM! The support of the Ursuline community makes dreams like Elle Woods’ come true every day in the Drama Club, and the club extends their gratitude for the continued support of their school. 

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