“Legally Blonde: The Musical” opened earlier this month at the Pantages Theater and stars Becky Gulsvig as UCLA fashion student-turned-aspiring lawyer Elle Woods. The production, which is on its first national tour, is based off the similarly named blockbuster movie starring Reese Witherspoon. Gulsvig was previously an understudy for the Broadway production, and this is her first tour in the starring role. Daily Bruin senior staff writer Amber Bissell sat down with Gulsvig to discuss her new lead role, bringing the musical to California for the first time and living up to the high expectations of the hit film.
Daily Bruin: What does the musical bring that the movie doesn’t?
Becky Gulsvig: I think it takes it a little bit further. Obviously, you have elements of song and dance which are so much fun and add more to the fun that “Legally Blonde” is. Also, the kind of the relationships in the movie are more developed. You hear more from Paulette, Elle’s hairdresser and friend. You also see more of Emmet and Elle’s relationship. It was kind of touched on in the movie, but you see them develop a bond as they work together and become friends. So you see more of their story.
DB: How do you feel your character compares to the lead in the movie?
BG: Well, I definitely bring a lot of myself to the role. It has to be honest and real but also heightened reality, so it has to be based in truth. You sympathize with Elle because she is real character. I try to echo the movie. I think Reese did a wonderful job, and I don’t try to copy her. But I try to take the spirit, heart and well-meaning that Reese had in the movie and use it in the role. And that lovely California clueless side of her that she has to find her way. I definitely try to use that for the spirit in the show.
DB: What do you use for inspiration?
BG: Honestly, the show is just really fun. I just try to enjoy myself, and it is self-inspiring. Also, a lot of young girls come to the show and I am definitely inspired by them in that they are seeing this great strong female role model who follows her dreams and has fun doing it. Sometimes women don’t portray themselves very well, and I think it’s an honor to play a character that sets a good example.
DB: How do feel about graduating to the lead role? What do you think you bring to this role?
BG: It has been really great. I have been involved in “Legally Blonde” since (the) original workshop in spring 2006. So it has been a long time and lot of work. I definitely feel that I had to earn it. I went on many times in New York, and it was such a great part. I wanted to play the lead in the tour and show people this fun show we created. It is exciting to play the part, and it’s been a year and it’s exhausting, but this role is fabulous and fun.
DB: The movie has a cult following; how do you hope that will affect the popularity of the production?
BG: I think it helps us. If people see the movie, they want to come wanting to love the musical for the most part. They loved Elle Woods, they love the movie. I think you get what you loved about the movie on the stage and a little bit more. And people who haven’t seen the movie, they love the show as well. I think people are pleasantly surprised; they think they will like the show, but they end up loving it.
DB: What has been the major obstacle in playing this role?
BG: Just keeping it fresh eight times a week while traveling on your day off. Physically, it’s a lot to take the show on the road. There is no routine and you’re moving from city to city. You have all those pieces to keep together and still put out the best you can. But because it’s fun, it doesn’t seem that bad.
DB: What is your favorite part?
BG: Seeing that I have been involved since beginning, it is the people who love show. It’s so much fun to see them excited when the show does come to their town. They come dressed up, they have a good time, they love it. They come with families and they have fun. When we started, the economy was not that great. People came saying, “˜We can only see one show this year and it was yours. It was so great; so much fun.’ We can brighten someone’s day or evening and that is a great thing.
DB: What kind of message do you hope audiences take away from the musical?
BG: Elle Woods is a really good role model and has great messages to give, like follow your dreams, don’t give up, don’t let people underestimate you, don’t underestimate yourself. These are great messages that come in pink sparkly packages. Even though we are delivering them in a fun, silly way, there are all those thoughts and a lot of laughs and good time.
DB: Is there anything you would like to add about being in Los Angeles?
BG: It’s exciting to be in Los Angeles. It’s so different; different parts of the country laugh at different parts of the show. Like in Boston, the audience goes crazy over harbor jokes. But California created Elle Woods and I think people get her a little more. It’s fun to have Elle Woods back in her home.