A casting representative from MTV confirmed to Playbill.com Jan. 14 that the cable network will hold auditions Jan. 21 in Orlando, FL, for an upcoming reality show that will search for an actress to play Elle Woods in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde.
A casting notice in the Orlando Sentinel blog reveals that casting for the television reality show gets underway Jan. 21 at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Florida. The open call, which is open to non-union talent, is seeking actresses 18 and over with strong acting, vocal and dancing skills to compete for the lead in the Broadway musical. The notice states that filming will take place over four weeks in March.
Richard H. Blake, currently starring as Warner in the Broadway musical at the Palace Theatre, also commented on his website that Legally Blonde would search for its next Elle Woods through a new reality show on the MTV network. Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy currently stars as the pink-clad star of the Broadway musical.
MTV helped Broadway's Legally Blonde reach millions of viewers when it aired the musical in its entirety Oct. 13.
Laura Bell Bundy was Tony nominated for the role of Elle Woods in the musical adaptation of the hit 2001 film, which starred Reese Witherspoon. Blonde co-star Blake has confirmed that he has extended his contract with Legally Blonde for another six months, through July. The open call for the MTV search for the next Elle Woods takes place at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater's Goldman Theater, located at 812 E. Rollins Street in Orlando, FL. Call time is 12 noon Jan. 21 with callbacks scheduled for Jan. 22 and 23.
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The MTV broadcast featured the Broadway musical in its entirety as well as behind-the-scenes footage and a pre-show, celebrity- studded "pink carpet." The latter included numerous celebrity arrivals and the cast of the MTV series "The Hills," including Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port, who hosted the pre-show Pink Carpet in front of Broadway's Palace Theatre.
Legally Blonde currently stars Laura Bell Bundy as pink-clad Elle Woods, Christian Borle (Spamalot) as Emmett, Orfeh (Saturday Night Fever) as Paulette, Richard H. Blake (The Wedding Singer) as Warner, Kate Shindle (Cabaret) as Vivienne, Nikki Snelson (Off-Broadway's How to Save the World…) as Brooke and Tony Award winner Michael Rupert (Sweet Charity, The Happy Time, Ragtime) as Professor Callahan.
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").
Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals and Dori Berinstein produce the show on Broadway, in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.
Visit MTV's website for more on the broadcast and future airings at mtv.com.
For more information, visit legallyblondethemusical.com.
