Filipino television and recording artist, Nikki Gil, has started vocal and dance preparations for the very demanding role of Elle Woods, which Laura Bell Bundy originated on Broadway in the hit movie-to-stage musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Atlantis Productions (Spring Awakening, Spelling Bee) brings to Manila LEGALLY BLONDE, a fun, teen musical based on the Amanda Brown novel, and the Hollywood film of the same title premiering in June 2010 at the Meralco Theatre.
"I'm very excited to have been chosen to play Elle Woods! It's a challenge in terms of stamina and vocal preparation so I really have to train for it," says Gil.
In the musical, with book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Delta Nu sorority glam star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
Simone Genatt, Chairman of Broadway Asia Company, which produced LEGALLY BLONDE in New York, and licensed the production to Atlantis Productions says, "Broadway Asia Company is thrilled to be working once again with Atlantis Productions on the upcoming performances of the Broadway hit musical LEGALLY BLONDE. With the tremendous star power of Nikki Gil heading an incredibly talented cast of local performers, we feel very confident that LEGALLY BLONDE will be very successful in the hands of Atlantis Productions. The Broadway touring production of LEGALLY BLONDE garnered all the touring Broadway awards this season including Best New Touring Musical, Best Design and Best Music, and is confirmed to continue touring the United States for another two years of bookings. We look forward to the success of the Manila performances with Atlantis Productions."
After a pre-Broadway run at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, California, LEGALLY BLONDE opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 29, 2007, directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell.
The whole musical was recorded for MTV in September 2007, and aired in October 2007. LEGALLY BLONDE closed on Broadway on October 19, 2008 after playing 595 performances. Apart from Manila, the show is set to open in Korea this month, in London's West End in January 2010, and in The Netherlands in October 2010.
The Manila production of LEGALLY BLONDE will be directed by Chari Arespacochaga (Spring Awakening, Doubt). Singer and songwriter Nyoy Volante (Dreamgirls, Hairspray), and singer and actress Gretchen Barretto have been reported to be playing Emmett Forrest and Brook Wyndham, respectively.
Fundraising and showbuying opportunities are now available, call Atlantis Productions at (632) 892-7078 or 840-1187 or visit http://www.atlantisproductionsinc.com/.
----- I've seen the Legally Blonde Musicale in the U.S. and i can't wait to see if this is up to par with that! I love musical theater!! but hey wait, Gretchen sings? hmmm... =)
