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Legally Blonde Readies MTV Casting Series; Musical to Tour in 2008
By Adam Hetrick
24 Jan 2008
Producers of Broadway's Legally Blonde have confirmed their venture with the MTV network to search for the musical's next leading lady in a new television reality series.
As previously reported by Playbill.com, MTV's "Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods" began casting Jan. 24 in Los Angeles. Dates follow in Chicago, Orlando, Nashville and New York City to search for an actress to succeed Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in the principal role. MTV helped Broadway's Legally Blonde reach millions of viewers when it aired the musical in its entirety Oct. 13.
The new MTV series is produced by Mark Koops and Howard T. Owens, who have also produced the television reality shows "The Biggest Loser," "The Restaurant," "Nashville Star," "Blow Out" and "Date My Mom." Amanda Lipitz, one of Legally Blonde's Broadway producers, joins the "Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods" producing team, which also includes Maira Suro and "The Hills" executive producers Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley.
Producers of the musical also state that Legally Blonde will launch a national tour later this fall. Dates and casting have not been announced.
Meanwhile, MGM continues the "Legally Blonde" franchise with a new movie for home entertainment entitled "Legally Blondes." The movie stars British twins Camilla and Rebecca Rosso, both of whom were featured during Legally Blonde's pink-carpet pre-show when the musical aired on the MTV network in October.
Legally Blonde currently stars Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods. Bundy and her co-stars Christian Borle (Emmett), Orfeh (Paulette), Richard H. Blake (Warner), Kate Shindle (Vivienne), Nikki Snelson (Brooke) and Michael Rupert (Professor Callahan) have all extended their contracts through the spring. Their exit dates have not been announced.
The current Legally Blonde cast also features Haven Burton, Tracy Jai Edwards, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Natalie Joy Johnson, Nathan Balser, April Berry, Paul Canaan,
Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Cara Cooper, Beth Curry, Amber Efé, Gaelen Gilliland, Jason Gillman, Becky Gulsvig, Rod Harrelson, Manuel Herrera, Andy Karl, Nick Kenkel, Michelle Kittrell, Rusty Mowery, Kevin Pariseau, Matthew Risch, Bryce Ryness and Kate Wetherhead.
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").
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.
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