STAFF WRITER

When the curtain first rises on the Mimes and Mummers’ latest production of Legally Blonde, a sense of dread may overtake more jaded theatregoers.

Framed in shadow, a gaggle of teenage girls hold fashion accessories and glossy magazines. When they start singing the opening number, a catchy tribute to consumerism — “Omigod You Guys” — the feeling that you are watching a brainless, candy-colored fantasy only intensifies.

Thankfully, the show settles down and becomes a charming, upbeat story with just the right tone. It is clear the Mimes made a good choice to present this show.  It should be noted that these students prepared this show in only three weeks, making the fact that their final product is in most respects a well-oiled machine all the more impressive.

The musical, like the film on which it is based, centers on Elle Woods, a Malibu partier majoring in fashion marketing at UCLA. When her boyfriend Warner dumps her, however, citing her lack of smarts, Elle hits the books and follows Warner to Harvard Law School, hoping to win him back. She faces a tough road, because this is not her natural habitat, but with the help of her new friend Emmett, she works to overcome her obstacles and find success in school and new love.

Pam Zazzarino, FCRH ’14, is the perfect Elle; her bubbly charisma shines throughout the two-hour musical. This role has the potential to be one-note and annoying, but Zazzarino overcomes these obstacles to deliver a star-making performance.

Sean McKay, FCRH ’17, who portrays Emmett, is Rose Hill’s rising theater star — no question. His strong musical talent and natural stage poise is on grand display as the brainy charm of his character unexpectedly connects with Elle. Not to mention, he is quite the crowd-pleaser.

Jeff O’Donnell, GSB ’14, as Warner is the charismatic yet jerky counterpoint to Emmett. He does not play a likable character, but he gets big laughs when he shows the well-groomed chinks in his manly armor.

Michelle Corr, FCRH ‘17, is a hoot as Paulette, Elle’s confidant who gets her confidence back with the young lawyer’s help. She gets the best lines in the show and is a down-to-earth, funny presence.

Mike Dahlgren, FCRH ‘14, is effectively threatening and sniveling as Elle’s law instructor, Professor Callaghan. Vanessa Agovida, FCRH ‘16, proves herself a catty girl with a heart as Elle’s main competition for Warner, who then sees the light and becomes her friend.

The whole cast’s energy is particularly evident in the show’s best number, “There! Right There!” which advances the plot with a wry, satirical sense of humor.

Continuing a trend of recent Mimes shows, the set has a simplistic intelligence: a scrim and blocks of geometrically designed platforms. While the design is colorful, the show’s lighting set-up falters at some points.

What was most disappointing about this show were the audio glitches displayed on opening night, which quite clearly distracted from the generally high-caliber talent on stage. Word of mouth indicates that this problem continued throughout the weekend.

The capacity audience in the Collins Theater did not seem to care, though — the Mimes have staged a real crowd-pleaser.

It may take a few minutes to get into, but Legally Blonde proves itself to be first-rate fun. The first production of the 2013-14 school year bodes well for the rest of the season.

Cast members said that preparing and performing the show was a great experience.

“Playing Elle was an honor,” Zazzarino said. “She is fearless and so willing to go after what she wants, and I find that incredibly inspiring. Being involved with Legally Blonde has brought me close to so many wonderful and talented people this semester, and I am so grateful for that.”