'Omigod You Guys': 'Legally Blonde' sparkles in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s season finale

GRAND RAPIDS — There was sparkle and dazzle in Grand Rapids that came with the stage production of “Legally Blonde” at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. 

The musical, based on the 2001 hit comedy film by the same name, follows soon-to-be Harvard Law student Elle Woods as she attempts to win back her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. There's only one thing stopping her from doing just that — she's far too blonde. 

Ava Grillo stars as Elle Woods in the Civic Theatre’s final show of its 99th season. 

The show, which just wrapped its June run, starts off with a bang with the song "Omigod You Guys,” which introduces Woods as the proud president of Delta Nu. 

That sets up Elle’s heartbreak as Huntington, played by Peter Bryant, breaks up with her in the following song “Serious,” in which Woods proclaims that she is seriously in love with Huntington despite not being the woman he wants. 

Desperate to win him back, Woods quickly decides to go to Harvard Law School in order to show that she is serious and what Huntington wants. The song “What You Want” features that decision and much of the cast, with Grillo embodying Woods’ spark and determination and cluelessness about what she’s getting into. 

The ensemble shines as well, giving excellent performances as they help Woods find her way to Harvard Law. 

Woods’ parents specifically shine in “What You Want,” performing with a silliness that makes the audience laugh out loud. The dance breaks in the song, with the majority of the cast involved, were almost mesmerizing to watch, with Grillo sticking out in the middle with a sparkly pink outfit that brings Woods to life. 

The first act continues with Woods’ first days of Harvard Law, meeting Emmett Forrest (Robbie Ellis), a graduate helping in her classes. The musical follows Woods’ adventures, including getting kicked out of class and finding out with heartbreak that Huntington has already moved on to a more serious woman, Vivian Kensington (Sophia VanGessell), who quickly makes it her mission to ruin Woods’ life. 

The law students quickly find out about Professor Callahan’s (Bill Reynolds) competitive internship, which could lead to a guaranteed career, which Woods assumes she will get until a little reality check by Forrest in the song “Chip on my Shoulder” brings Woods to reality. 

The song, a roughly eight-minute number, features Grillo and Ellis perfectly, with both of them bouncing off each other and showing the evolution of the friendship being formed between the two characters. 

Ellis performs Forrest’s slight awkwardness around Woods perfectly, showing the drastic differences between the two characters — but also the similarities. In the end, they are both two characters despite having to prove themselves one way or another to their peers and to Callahan. 

The show leaves Act 1 on a high note, leaving audience members begging for more, with “So Much Better,” a song about Woods’ triumphant win as she snatches Callahan’s internship — much to the shock of her peers. 

Act 2 starts the show off with a high-energy number and introduces the character Brooke Wyndham (Gracie Schafer), whom interns Callahan and Forrest are now representing in court. 

In sneakily placed scenes that steal the show, featuring Paulette (Sarah LaCroix) and UPS driver Kyle (Justin Moradi-Haisma), the two characters make the audience happily lose their minds, with exaggerated expressions and fun songs. 

The remainder of the act follows Woods as she navigates the case, while also never ruining her word, with Forrest right by her side the whole time. 

In tune with most musicals based on movies, this one has a happy ending, with Woods proposing to Forrest and Kyle and Paulette getting married — all is as it should be. 

Audience members walked away pleased with the show.

“It was so wonderful; it was so well done. I feel like everyone fit their characters so perfectly. I laughed very hard, and my jaw hurts!” said Lauren Czarnowczan, 32, of Grand Rapids. 

“The message is so great: Be true to yourself,” said her friend, Kara Felder, 36, of Grand Rapids. 

“Legally Blonde” at the Grand Rapids Civic Center had its final show on June 28.

The youth theatre one-act play “Alienated” will be performed at 6 p.m. Friday, July 10-11, at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave. N, Grand Rapids. To purchase tickets, click here. 

To check out GRCC’s next season or buy tickets for upcoming performances, click here.

— Mallory Burt is a reporter for Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.