ACT
ONE
The
curtain rises on Delta Nu Sorority House at University California, Los Angeles.
Here, we find the Delta Nu sisters preparing for the arrival of their sorority
president Elle Woods. The house is abuzz with rumors that Elle's long-time
boyfriend, Warner Huntington, plans to propose at dinner. When Elle doesn't
appear, the girls frantically rush to the Old Valley Mall where we finally meet
Elle. She has found the perfect dress for Warner's proposal and she celebrates
with her sisters ("Omigod You Guys"). As
evening falls, we find Elle and Warner enjoying a romantic dinner by
candlelight. While Elle anxiously awaits the proposal, Warner explains that it's
time to get serious and take the next step…by breaking up ("Serious"). He
doesn't believe she is serious enough about her future. Elle, upset and
embarrassed, is shocked by this revelation and storms out.It
has now been twelve days, and Elle is still holed up in her bedroom eating milky
ways ("Daughter of Delta Nu"). After an argument breaks out between the girls,
Elle emerges to stop the madness and comes across the latest issue of Town &
Country where, to her surprise, she sees a wedding picture of Warner's brother,
Peyton Huntington, and his new wife Muffy Vanderbilt. It is then that she
realizes that Warner is looking for someone like Muffy – a girl who is serious,
lawyerly and wears black when nobody's dead. Elle
devises a plan to join Warner in Cambridge by applying to Harvard Law School,
much to the dismay and skepticism of her parents ("What You Want"). With a
qualifying LSAT score of 175, Elle bursts into the Harvard admission offices to
deliver her own 'personal essay' – a full marching band, a squad of
cheerleaders, and the declaration that she is doing this for love. Swayed by her
belief in love, the admission officers accept Elle's application and enroll her into Harvard Law
School. We
move to halls of Harvard where Emmett Forrest, an alum and teaching assistant,
is addressing a group of first-year law students.
Here, we meet an assortment of characters that enjoy discussing their success
and intelligence ("Harvard Variations"). When Elle arrives, her classmates are
not thrilled and disapprove of her perky behavior. At Criminal Law 101, with Professor Callahan, Elle
spots Warner and surprises him. Before they can catch up, Professor Callahan
begins class by insisting that law school is a waste unless you are willing to
become a ruthless shark with a taste for blood in the water ("Blood In The
Water"). When Elle finds herself unprepared, Callahan removes her from class and
insists she return when she is ready to learn. Stunned,
Elle leaves the classroom and is chased down by Emmet who tries his best to
console her. Now in the hallway, Elle and Vivienne Kensington, Warner's new
girlfriend, come face to face. Vivienne has no trouble making her feelings known
and proceeds to mark her territory with Warner. Elle, frustrated and
inconsolable, is visited by a Greek Chorus, the girls of Delta Nu, who will help
Elle win Warner back and encourage her to just stay positive
("Positive").Elle
is convinced that her blonde hair is the source of her problems and has
retreated to the Hair Affair salon, where she plans to go brunette. We meet
Paulette, a hairdresser, who sees a bright future for Elle and insists that all
she needs is some relaxing Irish music. Paulette laments about her own dreams
to, one day, fall in love in Ireland ("Ireland"). Elle overhears Vivienne and
her friend enter the salon, as they chat about an upcoming party. A curious Elle
chimes in and Vivienne invites her along, telling her it's a costume party. Elle
thanks Paulette for the encouragement and heads off to fight for her man
("Ireland [Reprise]"). When
Elle arrives to the party, as a Playboy bunny, she comes to realize the joke is
on her – no one else is wearing a costume. Elle, although humiliated, refuses to
be defeated and reminisces with Warner about their past relationship ("Serious
[Reprise]"). Vivienne interrupts their conversation with insults and jabs. Elle
has no choice but to leave the party.On
her way home, Elle runs into Emmett on a bench who proceeds to tell her about
his own personal challenges and how that helped him get to where he is. Emmett
encourages Elle to use that chip on her shoulder as motivation – to become a
serious student and prove Warner, Vivienne, and Callahan wrong ("Chip On My
Shoulder"). With guidance from Emmett, Elle realizes that it is time to focus on
changing her priorities and sets out to do her best. After weeks and weeks of
studying, Elle wins a case against Warner in debate class. Professor Callahan is
pleasantly surprised and asks her to submit a resume for his prestigious
internship We
now find Elle and Paulette, with Emmett at their side, at a dumpy trailer. They
have arrived to confront Paulette's ex-boyfriend, Dewey, and retrieve her
beloved dog. Elle, using her newly found legal knowledge, prevails and Paulette
gets her Rufus back ("Run Rufus Run! / Elle Reflects"). It is then announced
that Callahan will be representing exercise queen, Brooke Wyndham, in a big
murder trial and needs immediate help; Emmett will be serving as co-counsel and
four students, from the class, will be selected as interns. When
the list is posted, we see Warner and Vivienne embrace as Elle watches – they
have made the cut as two of Callahan's interns. Warner goes to one knee and
proposes. Vivienne accepts. Elle is now heartbroken and ready to claim defeat.
Just then, Emmett approaches Elle with the list…she has made it! Feeling elated
and victorious, Elle realizes that this moment is so much better than any moment
she had ever shared with Warner. Elle is finally moving on ("So Much
Better").
ACT TWO
We
open to a law firm's conference room. Callahan, Emmett, and the four interns are
examining a workout video made by their defendant, Brooke Wyndham ("Whipped Into
Shape"), as Callahan explains the case and prepares his counsel for a jailhouse
visit. At the jail, it is revealed that Brooke is refusing to provide an alibi
and will not accept a plea bargain despite the overwhelming amount of evidence
against her. Brooke, however, insists she is innocent. Upon her counsel's
departure, Elle seizes the opportunity to bond with Brooke who happens to be a
Delta Nu sister ("Delta Nu Nu Nu"). With a trust formed between the ladies,
Brooke comes clean with her alibi – she was having liposuction on the day of her
husband's murder. Elle is sworn to secrecy and promises not to share this news
with anyone. When
Emmett tries to coax Elle into sharing this secret with the rest of the team,
Elle stands her ground and refuses to jeopardize Brooke's trust. Elle can now
see that Emmett is concerned about how Callahan will react and is determined to
take his mind off things. She drags him to the department store. At
the department store, Elle convinces Emmett that it's time for a wardrobe change
if he really wants to impress Callahan. While Emmett tries to understand why he
is so drawn to Elle, the two begin their shopping spree ("Take It Like A Man").
The next day, Elle is enjoying a manicure at the Hair Affair when Kyle, the new
UPS delivery guy, enters. Paulette is floored by Kyle's good looks but is
convinced that she has nothing left to offer a man like that. Soon after,
however, she discovers that she has the most perfect "Bend and Snap." The Greek
Chorus appears, and encourages her to hone her skills and use this killer move
on Kyle ("Bend And Snap"). When Kyle comes back to retrieve his stylus, Paulette
executes the bend but miscalculates the snap…and breaks Kyle's nose.At
trial, we meet an exotic pool boy, Nikos, who claims he is a witness to the
crime. Nikos testifies that he and Brooke were lovers and that she is, in fact,
responsible for the murder. Elle is not convinced and consults with her fellow
lawyers who must determine if Nikos is actually gay or, instead, just European
("Gay Or European?"). Emmett approaches the stand and attempts to break Nikos
down. His strategy works and it is revealed that the young man is gay! That
evening Callahan is hosting a celebration for his defense team and the group
toasts to a successful day. Callahan asks Elle to stay late, so that they can
discuss. As Warner and Vivienne secretly watch on, Callahan forces himself upon
Elle and kisses her. When she rejects his advances, Callahan lets her go. A
stunned Elle retreats to her room and tells Emmett that she will be heading back
to California; a confused and concerned Emmett begs her to stay ("Legally
Blonde"). At
the Hair Affair, Kyle has recovered from his trip to the hospital and is
returning to thank Paulette for her help. Elle arrives and stuns Paulette by
telling her she is heading back to California. As she reveals why, Vivienne
appears. Vivienne now sees the strong, smart woman within Elle – it's her time
to shine ("Legally Blonde [Reprise]"). Elle, who has found a new determination
and drive, marches towards the courthouse followed by a parade of supporters,
friends, and family, including Kyle and Paulette who have come to find an Irish
fondness for each other.Back
at the trial, Elle storms in. Brooke is thrilled to see her Delta Nu sister and
fires Callahan. Now, with Emmett's help, Elle goes forward with defending her
new client. With an extensive knowledge of hair, Elle challenges the alibi of
the victim's daughter who insists she was out getting a perm. Elle demands they
travel to the scene of the crime ("Scene Of The Crime") – the judge allows it.
At the Wyndham mansion, Elle sets out to disprove the alibi and Chutney finally
breaks down. She proclaims that she didn't mean to shoot her father – she
thought it was Brooke coming through the door. The
crowd cheers and Elle is elated. Elle has solved the case and set Brooke Wyndham
free! Warner, who has been dumped by Vivienne, pleads to Elle to take him back.
Elle sits down and explains to Warner that she is now a new girl and she
realizes she is more than just a hair color. We transition to graduation day
where we find Elle and the other classmates celebrating – Paulette and Kyle are
married and have two kids, Enid practices family law, Vivienne is training for
the peace corps, Warner is modeling, and Elle has finally found her true love:
Emmett Forrest ("Find My Way / Finale").