Show guide
Legally Blonde
"Legally Blonde" follows Elle Woods, a sorority sweetheart who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex and ends up discovering she belongs there for reasons entirely her own.
- Broadway premiere
- 2007
- Music by
- O'Keefe & Benjamin
- Genre
- Comedy
- Setting
- 2000s
Legally Blonde: quick answers
What is Legally Blonde about?
- Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods, a UCLA sorority president who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School to win him back, gets underestimated at every turn, and discovers she is a brilliant lawyer on her own terms.
When did Legally Blonde open on Broadway?
- Legally Blonde opened on Broadway on April 29, 2007, at the Palace Theatre, starring Laura Bell Bundy. It played 595 performances before closing on October 19, 2008.
What kind of musical is Legally Blonde?
- Legally Blonde is an upbeat pop musical comedy with an original score by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, adapted from the 2001 film. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London.
Where and when is Legally Blonde set?
- Legally Blonde moves from Elle's sorority house at UCLA to Harvard Law School.
Has Legally Blonde played in London's West End?
- Legally Blonde opened in the West End at the Savoy Theatre on January 13, 2010, starring Sheridan Smith, and won three 2011 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre revived it in 2022.
Is there a Legally Blonde movie?
- The musical is based on the 2001 film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon and adapted from Amanda Brown's novel. The Broadway production was filmed and broadcast on MTV in October 2007.
The story of Legally Blonde
Set in the 2000s, the musical opens with Elle Woods living a bright, fashionable life at a California university, until her boyfriend breaks up with her because he wants someone more serious for his future. Determined to win him back, she talks her way into Harvard Law School, arriving in a world that initially dismisses her because of her looks and interests.
Over the course of the story, Elle proves herself as sharp and capable, using her own strengths rather than abandoning who she is, and ultimately builds a legal career and sense of self-worth that has nothing to do with the boyfriend who started it all.
The music and the makers
The music and lyrics were written by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, who crafted a bright, contemporary pop score to match the show's fizzy, comic energy. The songs lean into humor and character voice, giving Elle a string of numbers that track her transformation from underestimated sorority girl to confident law student.
The score keeps a light, upbeat comic tone throughout, using catchy pop hooks and playful lyrics to match the film's satirical take on preconceptions and self-discovery.
Legally Blonde on Broadway
The show opened in 2007, adapted from the popular film comedy, and found an audience drawn to its high-energy staging and empowering, funny take on being underestimated. Its bubblegum-bright visual style and up-tempo score made it a favorite for audiences looking for pure fun.
Its message about not needing to change who you are to succeed, paired with an infectious pop score, has kept it a popular choice for touring productions, school programs, and revivals, appealing especially to younger and first-time musical theater audiences.
Legally Blonde: frequently asked questions
When did Legally Blonde open on Broadway?
Legally Blonde opened on Broadway in 2007.
Who wrote the music for Legally Blonde?
Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin composed the music and lyrics.
What is Legally Blonde based on?
It is based on the film of the same name and follows Elle Woods as she attends Harvard Law School and discovers her own strengths.
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