Legally Blonde – The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods
Legally Blonde — The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods is an MTV program created in order to cast an actress to replace Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde – The Musical. The show debuted on June 2, 2008. The winner of the show, Bailey Hanks, in addition to being cast in the role, was given the opportunity to record her own single of the musical's first-act closer, "So Much Better". The show concluded on July 21, 2008. Autumn Hurlbert was the runner up. She served as Hanks' understudy and performed in the ensemble of the show. Bundy's last performance in the musical was on July 20, 2008. Hanks began performances on July 23, 2008 and remained with the show until it closed on October 19, 2008. Two other show finalists — Rhiannon Hansen and Lauren Zakrin, performed in the Legally Blonde National tour. Hansen played Margot in the musical and Zakrin performed in the ensemble as well serving as understudy to Becky Gulsvig as Elle Woods. The show began with 15 contestants. All except the winner were eliminated over nine episodes, in which they performed songs and faced other challenges. A three-judge panel made the elimination decisions. Most episodes involved a small prize for the winner of the challenge.
Episodes
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The ladies fighting for the lead role in Legally Blonde: The Musical takes a dramatic cut, from 50 to 10 hopefuls! The girls practice the song "So Much Better" from the musical, practice some choreography and meet the judges.
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Now that the contestants have been cut down to only 10 girls, things get heated. The girls move into their New York City hotel loft just in time for another audition. This time, the girls have to perform "Delta Nu Nu Nu" with guest star Nikki Snelson. Meanwhile, it's a tough day for auditioner Bailey, who gets yelled at twice in less than half a day. For the first time she's scorned for wearing heels when she was specifically told to dress comfortably. The second time was for letting her thick southern accent interfere with the song. After all the singing, one girl will be sent home. Meanwhile, the other nine still have a shot at becoming the next Elle Woods on Broadway.
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Final 9 practice by working out on spinbikes as they sing "Omigod You Guys."
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The ladies perform with a canine costar: Bruiser, the dog from the musical. Later, they sing "Serious" for actor Richard Blake, and two contestants are eliminated.
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With only six girls left, the competition begins heating up when Denis Jones and Nick Kenkel guest star to help the contestants with their dance moves. Things wind down with a yoga session with Kate Shindle before another Elle Woods hopeful is sent packing.
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The five remaining girls are called to the John Barret Salon at Bergdorf Goodman's to dye the non-blonde-haired girls blonde to capture the true Elle Woods character. Later, the ladies go over to SoHo Studies, where they're greeted by Laura Bell Bundy to help the contestants get in touch with the inner Elle. Later, the girls sing and rehearse "Legally Blonde" before another blonde-haired female is informed she will not be the new Elle Woods on Broadway.
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Four finalists audition with a challenging number that tests singing, acting and dance. Their costume change skills were also tested, as was their stamina. The song featured was "What You Want". All the girls won dinner at the loft and Legally Blonde-style Tiffany necklaces.
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Autumn and Bailey performed three Legally Blonde numbers live at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, and Bailey was declared the winner. The three songs were "Omigod You Guys", "Positive" and "So Much Better". In addition to winning a contract to perform the role of Elle Woods on Broadway for at least three months, Hanks was given the opportunity to record her own single of the musical's first-act closer, "So Much Better".[2][4][5] Hurlbert, as the runner up, will act as Hanks' understudy and perform in the ensemble of the show. Zakrin, the third runner up, will understudy the tour's Elle Woods, Becky Gulsvig, and will also be a member of the ensemble. And, Hansen , the second runner up, will play the role of Margot, Elle's best friend, on tour, as well as understudying Elle.[2]
