By Ace Caguioa
Legally Blonde the Musical at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts was fun, fierce,
and fabulous. The show is terrific —full of energy and a joy to experience from start to
finish. La Mirada proves once again you don’t have to look far to find Broadway-quality
productions, they’re right here in our backyard.
Based on Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name, which also inspired the beloved
2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde was adapted for the Broadway
stage in 2007. The musical brings to life Elle Woods’ journey to Harvard Law, love, and
self-discovery.
I remember back in the good old days of MTV, when Legally Blonde caused such a
buzz that it even inspired a reality TV show, The Search for Elle Woods, giving
audiences a glimpse into just how demanding musical theatre can be. Watching this La
Mirada production justified why that reality show was so intense — it takes a lot of
stamina, heart, and incredible talent to put this musical together. From high-energy
dance numbers to jump-roping while singing, the cast delivered world-class nonstop
entertainment.
Director Cynthia Ferrer and choreographer Dana Solimando brought a fresh, modern
spin to the musical. I appreciated the clever updates like text messaging projections,
video calls, viral TikTok trends, updated cultural references, and even emojis that made
the show feel completely current and alive without losing the charm of the original.
Kathryn Brunner shines as Elle Woods, delivering both warmth and fierce determination
to the role. She makes Elle’s journey feel so real and genuine that you can’t help but
root for her from beginning to end. I personally thought Anthea Neri-Best was hilarious
and heartfelt as Paulette. She redefined a role that’s so closely associated with Jennifer
Coolidge — and let’s be honest, no one can truly be Jennifer Coolidge except Jennifer
Coolidge — yet Anthea made it completely her own. The entire cast was brilliant, and
every number felt like a showstopper. And of course, Little Ricky as Bruiser the dog
stole every scene he was in.
Beyond the humor and sparkle (and all that pink), the show carries powerful messages
about sisterhood, resilience and staying true to yourself. “Chip on Your Shoulder,” really
hit home for me — a reminder that when the opportunity you’ve been hoping for finally
arrives, you have to meet it with everything you’ve got — be driven as hell and make the
most of it.
Legally Blonde continues to prove it’s a timeless story — funny, positive, and irresistible.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Legally Blonde: The Musical
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA
Show Dates: Now through Sunday, May 18, 2025
Performance Schedule:
>Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
>Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
>Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
>Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 – $95 (prices subject to change)
Tickets: $25 – $95 (prices subject to change)
Box Office:
>Website: www.LaMiradaTheatre.com
>Phone: (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310
Additional Information:
>Run Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.
>Content Advisory: Recommended for ages 12 and up for language and subject
matter.
>Cast Talkbacks: Thursday, May 1 and Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.
>Open Captioned Performance: Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.
>ASL Interpreted Performance: Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m.
>Group, student, and military discounts available.
> Children under 3 years old are not admitted.
>Parking is free.
