A few weeks ago, “Legally Blonde”, the Broadway musical, visited Chrsyler Hall of Norfolk while on its successful, national tour. Advertisements were abundant leading up to the performances in Norfolk and many from the Tidewater area flocked to see what tricks this well-publicized musical had up its sleeve.

The music was very upbeat, although the jokes were obviously pointed at a certain audience (peppy teenage girls). The running time was reasonable: not long enough that we found ourselves squirming in our seats, and not short enough that we found ourselves wishing for something more. The sets were simple, but still very consistent with the overall feeling of the show.

I personally did not enjoy the show as much as I believe many will. I feel like the show is not necessarily good and not necessarily bad, but is really dependent on the viewer’s personal tastes and their theater-going history.

I would recommend this show to viewers who are not regular theatergoers or show fans that wouldn’t list theater as one of their top interests, but simply want the experience of seeing a Broadway production. This show is very good for a first Broadway show (so is “Lion King”, “Wicked”, “Hairspray”, and “Grease”, by the way), because the style of the writers is very simple. I would also recommend this show to a younger female audience.

I would not recommend this show, however, to the regular theatergoers and show fan who have been to many shows and plan on going to many more. For that group, this show lacks depth and the “razzle-dazzle” (“Chicago”, anyone?) that truly does define Broadway. Although a fun show, audiences who adore shows like “Phantom of the Opera”, “42nd Street”, “Chicago”, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, or non-Broadway shows such as “Carmen” and “La Boheme” would find this show to be less-than-satisfying.

RATING:6.5/10
WHY: The perfect show should seek to give enough satisfaction to all audiences, regardless of taste and personal theater-going experience. This show fails to meet that standard.

IF YOU LIKE IT YOU SHOULD SEE:
“Hairspray”, “The Lion King”, “Tarzan”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Wicked”, “Grease”
IF YOU DIDN’T LIKE IT YOU SHOULD SEE:
“The Phantom of the Opera”, “Chicago”, “Nine”, “42nd Street”, “Evita”, “Carmen”, “Madame Butterfly”, “A Streetcar Named Desire”

***Note. In the show recommendations, not all of the shows listed as “If You Like It You Should See” would be less than enjoyable to those in the other group. Same thing vice versa. But they hold similar characteristics. In the first group, the shows are easier to understand. In the second group, it involves more dedicated enthusiasts who don’t mind heavier material and more complex/deep thoughts.