A pink backdrop. Pink shining lights. Girls in pink singing and dancing. And then the star comes out: a pink-dressed, sorority girl flipping her blonde hair! This year’s fall music of Legally Blonde was a hit.

On Tuesday, December 11, the Ramaz students, faculty, and parents travelled to a very pink, very posh version of Harvard Law School, the setting of Legally Blonde: the Musical. The production Legally Blonde: the Musical on Broadway was written by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, with the book by Heather Hach. The musical is based on the novel, Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown, and the 2001 film of the same name.

Lia Michel ’19 starred as Elle Woods, the ditsy college student who is dumped by her boyfriend, Warner (Avi Blitzer ’19). In order to prove herself to Warner, Elle attends Harvard Law School. On the way of this seemingly impossible adventure, Elle faces challenge after challenge, including meeting Warner’s new girlfriend (Naomi Levy ’19), being underestimated by Professor Callahan (James Auerbach ’20), and defending fitness instructor Brooke Taylor-Windham (Elizabeth Newman-Corre ’20) in court. With the help of her three sorority sisters (Taylor Roslyn ’21, Hannah Dubroff ’21, and Noah Biton ’21), her manicurist Paulette (Maxine Pravda ’20), and her friend Emmett (Hadley Kauvar ’19), Elle learns how to succeed in her own way.

The production could not have taken place without the hard work of the cast, directors, and crew. Jason Robinson, the director, worked hard to stage and organize all of the elements of the play, from the script to the singing and dancing to the props and costume changes. Mr. Robinson said, “The hardest thing about music performances and musicals is all the parts. I always try to be at the helm of the ship and steer it through the rocky waters.” Mr. Robinson worked with Assistant Director Hadley Kauvar ’19, Product Manager James Auerbach ’20, and Production Designer Barbara Abramson. The playbills were compiled by Hadley Kauvar.

The Ramaz musicals are so special because they highlight other elements of the arts, in addition to acting. The music was only possible with the help of Musical Director Oded Lev-Ari, head of sound Rami Yadid, and the Ramaz band. Michal Seinfeld said, “My favorite song was ‘Omigod You Guys.’ It was so catchy!” Students sang that song for weeks after the production. The dancing was “phenomenal,” according to Daniella Norman ’21. The dance competition scene and general excitement on the stage was choreographed by Mr. Robinson and the assistant choreographers: Naomi Levy ’19, Maxine Pravda ’20, and David Rahabi ’19. “It fit so perfectly to the music,” said Norman. To bring the whole show together, Light Director Sam Gordon and the lighting crew lit up the stage with pink, purple, and so many other colors, as well as the spotlight on star Lia Michel.

Another main component which brought Legally Blonde: the Musical to life was the backdrop. Led by Tse Levy and Jeanette Grinberg, the stage crew used paint to transform the stage into the sorority house, beauty parlor, courthouse, and most of all, the pink, classy Harvard quad. Lauren Lepor ’21, who helped paint the backdrop, explained, “We were inspired by Elle’s signature color — pink.”

Even with all of the choreography, set, and lighting, the play would not have been the same without the cast’s hard work, energy, and spirit. Most cast members were able to connect with their characters or parts of their roles. Maxine Pravda ’20, who plays the eccentric manicurist, said, “I connected with her passion and growth. Paulette really grew as a character throughout the play. In the beginning she was dreaming about the life she wants and by the end, she fights for her dog and marries the man of her dreams. I also loved her accent!” However, not all of the cast found connecting to their character as easy. James Auerbach ’20, who played the professor who turns on Elle when she does not give up critical information, said, “It is difficult because I don’t like to be strict.” Naomi Levy ’19 had a similar experience as “I played Warner’s girlfriend who then dumps him and supports Elle. It was hard to make the switch from hating Elle to loving her.” Avi Blitzer ’19, who played Warner, joked, “I learned that people don’t like when you break up with them!”

Students raved about Lia Michel’s performance. Taylor Roslyn ’21 said, “She was great and super upbeat!” According to Mr. Robinson, “Lia is Elle Woods. Elle is a joyful, warm, big-hearted person and just wants to be happy and spread love. That is Lia.”

Even though Legally Blonde was humorous and the characters are lovable, both the actors and the audience learned from the deeper meaning it has to offer. Mr. Robinson said that he chose this play because “a lot of it is about relationships and the choices we make, which seems to resonate with students. Also one of the themes is challenging stereotypes. Almost all of the characters turn out to be different than they initially seem.” Many students agreed. Aviva Lehman ’22, an actor in Legally Blonde, said that the show emphasizes that “just because you are pretty does not mean you can’t be smart.” Others felt the show taught them that “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” “what you think will turn out one way can turn out totally differently and for the better.” Overall, the students believed that the show came together in a really spectacular way. The cast and crew blew them all away.