After MTV successfully aired a broadcast of the latest Broadway craze, Legally Blonde: The Musical, the network is bringing you their latest TV venture which is a search for the next leading role for the hit stage show! Actress, Haylie Duff hosts Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods which premieres Monday, June 2nd — the show will follow the in-dept process of auditioning and eventually casting the lead role of ‘Elle Woods’ to one talented performer who dreams of starring on Broadway.
The very pink, high-stepping summer series will feature special appearances from Legally Blonde cast members: Orfeh (Paulette), Richard H. Blake (Warner), Nikki Snelson (Brooke Wyndham), and the musical’s Tony-nominated star, Laura Bell Bundy.
Recently the cast of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” (as well as 50 ‘Elle’ look-a-likes) took over New York City to promote the new series and FANVASION made sure to catch up with Laura Bell Bundy and friends to get the dish on the musical and MTV’s search!
Laura Bell Bundy [Elle Woods]
First off, can you tell the fans what you love most about playing “Elle Woods?”
Well I love her spirit and sense of joy and that she sort of thinks outside the box. So when I go on stage, it gives me the opportunity to have a lot of fun. Also to really take chances when I’m on stage and have fun with the cast and have a joyful experience. It’s fun. I also feel a lot. You know? She goes through quite a journey so it’s kind of therapy for me!
I bet her role is very fun to play.
Yes, it is!
So, we’re in search for the next Elle Woods. What advice would you give to the “new” Elle?
There’s so much advice I could give, it would be like writing a book. But I think the main thing is to continue to have balance in your life because it’s going to get a little crazy. There’s going to be a lot of press and there’s going to be performing on stage for three hours every night. So you have to watch your voice. You have to be consistent with that: vocal lessons, not eating certain things and all that crazy stuff. But of course, to also have fun. Have fun and have a sense of who you are and what you’re doing.
Yeah! Well for one girl her dream is about to come true. What character would you love to play in the future?
Well, I would say playing Elle Woods was my dream come true … it was mine as well. Another role I would like to play? I have a role but I can’t really talk about it because I’m trying to make it happen right now. But it has to do with country music.
Awesome. So for the fans who would like to know, why are you stepping down from your role?
It was time for me to go. We started rehearsals October 2006 into the first meeting of the show in July 2005. So that’s basically three years being involved in the project and going consistently for a year and a half. And physically your body can’t hold up anymore. At some point it goes “Okay, I’ve had enough.” And I think also, I need to be challenged and I feel like by the time I leave the show…I’m still discovering now but I’ve done everything I could do. And I have to continue to challenge myself and I want to work another project.
We spoke with the other cast members and they were expressing how sad they were to see you leave.
I’m going to be sad to leave them too, we’re a family. Every time I think about it I get emotional.
Well, I think that’s about it. Thank you so much for your time!
Aw. No problem, thank you!
Richard H. Blake [Warner Huntington III]
So tell us a little about your character on the show!
I play Warner Huntington III. Basically the catalyst for Elle coming to Harvard. I unfortunately break up with her early on in the show and she’s heartbroken. She had to get me back so she followed me to Harvard.
Is this something you would totally portray in real life?
Absolutely not. I hope not. He’s kind of an arrogant jerk. I think overall he has a good heart, he’s just really kind of naïve to how arrogant and self involved he is. But you know at the same time, I wouldn’t say it’s not his fault but he comes from a lineage of people who know how their life goes. You start out here and you go here and you end up here.
Yeah, we see that in his character. But playing that character, what’s your favorite song to perform in the show?
You know, I love the song where I break up with Elle. It’s kind of funny, it’s kind of a “boy band-y” kind of sound. And I also like the song called “There! Right There!” It’s a number where we all are on stage.
Now, are you ready to work with the new “Elle Woods?”
Certainly, no one can replace Laura Bell but someone can certainly replace Elle Woods. I am! I look forward to it. It’s exciting to have someone new on stage and new energy. So I think it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. It’s really exciting. I can’t wait to see who it is.
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She’s plays her role well. We’re sure gonna miss her.
Laura Bell? Absolutely. I’ve known Laura Bell since she was 11 years old. We worked together a long, long time ago. We did the Sound of Music together, so I’ve known her forever. I knew she was going to be a star way back then.
Well, it was a pleasure talking with you today. Thank you very much.
You too, thank you.
Seth Rudetsky – Vocal Coach
Tell us a little about your role on the show.
I’m Seth Rudetsky. I’m the vocal coach. But there are judges on the show.
Did you have a lot of fun doing the show?
It was really fun even though it was kind of long hours. But it’s really fun because I enjoy Broadway shows, and it’s really what it’s like. Each week, we have to do a section of the show. It was really fun rehearsing them.
Were they all great from the start? Or were there people who probably didn’t stand in your mind that much?
Definitely one of my absolutely favorites did not stand out in my mind. So halfway through next week, it’s better. But that’s the nature of Broadway, it’s really hard to know who’s amazing. Everyone wants to work hard. All these girls are dancers, they know Broadway. They know about working hard … they are theater kids. They knew how hard it was going to be. There are a lot of tears and breakdowns.
Oh no, that’s not good!
Well, ‘it’s TV’ as we say.
Definitely. So you’re definitely having a good time doing this!
It’s fun…it’s a good TV show. In Broadway, we don’t lip sync. It takes talent. Everything else…shove it!
Do you feel like there’s a lack of it on TV? I feel as if Broadway is very underrated. And they need to bring shows like this to TV.
Yeah, there’s this whole attitude. But Legally Blonde on MTV had high ratings. So I’m really proud of MTV for taping this and doing this show because there are people who are obsessed with Broadway! All the fans have been telling me that.
Yeah, look at Hairspray and the success of that movie.
Yeah, and Chicago. Thank god Chicago came around. Now there are all these musical movies.
Last question, do you think these girls are ready? Are they all set to play “Elle Woods?”
Yeah, absolutely. After what they put their butts through. Yeah, definitely.
Well we’re looking forward to see who wins! Thank you.
No, thank you!
Check out a few of our photos from the day!
FOR MORE ON LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL CHECK OUT:
· Official Website
· MTV.com – The Search for Elle Woods