By John Lyle Belden
(Note: Out of respect for the art form and its performers, they are identified by their Drag names as given in the show program.)
Many of us are familiar with the 2001 film “Legally Blonde,” and perhaps with the 2007 stage musical, however for Indy Drag Theatre, it was a parody tribute to this fun comedy in 2022 that got the company rolling. Now, this clever melding of both movie and Broadway – acted, danced and neatly lip-synched by local Drag Queens and Kings – has returned to The District Theatre.
Also notable as an actor in conventional musicals, Parker Taylor makes a stunning transformation into Honey Bunn, who plays our blonde heroine, Elle Woods. To win back the love of her ex-boyfriend Warner (played by Cadence), she leaves UCLA to enter Harvard Law School. Needless to say, it won’t be easy for her but very funny and entertaining for us. In Boston, Elle gets help from teaching assistant Emmett (Eli Rose) and local beautician Paulette (Sydnie Blair), but no help from Vivienne (Kalinda), who is with Warner now.
Elle finally gets to prove herself as part of a team of interns for Professor Callahan (Kristen N. Peterson), who is defending a famous fitness expert Brooke Wyndham (Vera Vanderwoude St. Clair) charged with murder.
The cast includes Axel Brozie as classmate Enid, and AJ Thoma, Kitt St. Clair, and B.B. Rosè as Elle’s Delta Nu sisters Margot, Serena, and Pilar, who appear as her literal Greek Chorus. Sean Seager is dog-gone cute as anthropomorphic pooch Bruiser, as well as hot UPS man Kyle.
A tip of the wig also to Ilana a la Mode, Madison Avenue, Kami Kamora, RoDick Heffley, Josè Dos Santos, Ellen Vander Missen, DeLuLu De Vant, Justin Sheedy, Sophie Sweany, Tiffany Rae, and CiCi Pasion.
Directed by IDT co-founders Blair St. Clair and April Rosè (who choreographed), stage manager is Natalie Port-Ma’am, with costumes by Alish Forner, makeup by St. Pussifer, wigs by Hair By Blair and sturdy sets by Josh Vander Missen.
While the Queens usually get the attention in these shows, it takes all kinds to make the magic work, and I must note the stellar King performance by Peterson as conniving, cruel creep Callahan.
With its energy, flair, and embrace of all things pink and shiny, this musical meshes perfectly with the Drag Theatre format, providing a wonderful experience all around. Get “Legally Blonde(r)” this Thursday through Sunday, May 15-18, at the District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indydistricttheatre.org.
