Sunday, May 04, 2008
A Star Is Born Sought
MTV announced this week that they have begun the search for the new undiscovered Broadway star to take on the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical on Broadway. Hosted by Haylie Duff, MTV will air a new competitive reality TV series where Broadway hopefuls will compete for the role that will be left vacant by the original Elle Woods actress Laura Bell Bundy. Here is a cute photo of Haylie and Laura Bell at the press announcement event this week and the full text of the press release for the new show:
The first cable network to televise a musical in its entirety, MTV will follow the success of its "Legally Blonde The Musical" special by again partnering with the musical team for the reality competition series "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search For Elle Woods," premiering Monday, June 2nd at 10p.m. ET/PT. Actress Haylie Duff ("7th Heaven," Hairspray on Broadway and Napoleon Dynamite) stars in and executive produces alongside Reveille, the eight-episode series which will provide an authentic first-hand look at what it takes to star in a Broadway musical. Viewers will follow 10 "triple-threat" hopefuls as they vie for the ultimate shot at stardom: the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star on Broadway at the Palace Theatre and replace the Tony Award nominated Laura Bell Bundy in the leading role of "Elle Woods" in Legally Blonde The Musical, which is based on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture's (MGM) hit film "Legally Blonde." Week-to-week a nation of fans will watch the drama unfold as these talented young women embark on a grueling and high-stakes season-long audition. The series will provide a genuine glimpse into just how difficult it can be to headline a musical as the contestants receive direction from and ace challenges provided by the very creative team involved with Legally Blonde The Musical. On hand to show the ladies just what it takes to succeed in the show will be the musical's director and Tony Award winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who will serve as the final word on who will star nightly on his stage; associate director Marc Bruni; associate choreographer Denis Jones; and cast members including Laura Bell Bundy the original, Tony Award Nominated "Elle Woods" of Broadway, Nikki Snelson (the original "Brooke Wyndham"), Orfeh ("Paulette") and Richard H. Blake ("Warner Huntington III"). As they progress, the ladies will have to learn the musical's dance routines and songs all while giving their all in around-the-clock rehearsals and workshops. As they navigate the obstacles involved with getting their theater dreams off the ground, they will learn to deal with being both competitors and roommates as they live together in a New York City loft. An emerging Broadway actress in her own right, Duff will be on-hand with renowned theater vocal coach Seth Rudetsky to provide some much-needed guidance as the contestants face critiques from a panel of expert judges filled with some of the theater industry's most respected names. Serving as judges for the series in which they will jumpstart one lucky young woman's theater career are legendary casting director Bernard Telsey; Legally Blonde The Musical's Tony Award nominated book writer Heather Hach; and Original Broadway cast member of Legally Blonde The Musical Paul Canaan. This J-Team made up of judges and Jerry Mitchell – not America – will decide who the next "Elle Woods" will be. Beginning May 5, MTV.com will add to the fun by going platinum blonde with exclusive show content and extras. Viewers will be able to log onto LegallyBlonde.MTV.com to see cast profiles, photos, audition reels and performances; get info on Haylie Duff and the series judges; watch full episodes and the series trailer; and check-out deleted show scenes and episodic flipbooks exclusive to MTV.com.
As much as I hate the thought of Laura Bell Bundy leaving the show (she is, after all, one of the best new Broadway actresses of our time, you know) I have to agree that this competitive reality TV show to cast the part is pretty brills. I know I'll be watching each week as hopefulsbackstab and try to tear each other apart engage in friendly competition in order to win a chance to star on Broadway. Maybe it'll be like Making the Band 4, but with real talent. Sounds like fun. [Source]
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The first cable network to televise a musical in its entirety, MTV will follow the success of its "Legally Blonde The Musical" special by again partnering with the musical team for the reality competition series "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search For Elle Woods," premiering Monday, June 2nd at 10p.m. ET/PT. Actress Haylie Duff ("7th Heaven," Hairspray on Broadway and Napoleon Dynamite) stars in and executive produces alongside Reveille, the eight-episode series which will provide an authentic first-hand look at what it takes to star in a Broadway musical. Viewers will follow 10 "triple-threat" hopefuls as they vie for the ultimate shot at stardom: the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star on Broadway at the Palace Theatre and replace the Tony Award nominated Laura Bell Bundy in the leading role of "Elle Woods" in Legally Blonde The Musical, which is based on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture's (MGM) hit film "Legally Blonde." Week-to-week a nation of fans will watch the drama unfold as these talented young women embark on a grueling and high-stakes season-long audition. The series will provide a genuine glimpse into just how difficult it can be to headline a musical as the contestants receive direction from and ace challenges provided by the very creative team involved with Legally Blonde The Musical. On hand to show the ladies just what it takes to succeed in the show will be the musical's director and Tony Award winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who will serve as the final word on who will star nightly on his stage; associate director Marc Bruni; associate choreographer Denis Jones; and cast members including Laura Bell Bundy the original, Tony Award Nominated "Elle Woods" of Broadway, Nikki Snelson (the original "Brooke Wyndham"), Orfeh ("Paulette") and Richard H. Blake ("Warner Huntington III"). As they progress, the ladies will have to learn the musical's dance routines and songs all while giving their all in around-the-clock rehearsals and workshops. As they navigate the obstacles involved with getting their theater dreams off the ground, they will learn to deal with being both competitors and roommates as they live together in a New York City loft. An emerging Broadway actress in her own right, Duff will be on-hand with renowned theater vocal coach Seth Rudetsky to provide some much-needed guidance as the contestants face critiques from a panel of expert judges filled with some of the theater industry's most respected names. Serving as judges for the series in which they will jumpstart one lucky young woman's theater career are legendary casting director Bernard Telsey; Legally Blonde The Musical's Tony Award nominated book writer Heather Hach; and Original Broadway cast member of Legally Blonde The Musical Paul Canaan. This J-Team made up of judges and Jerry Mitchell – not America – will decide who the next "Elle Woods" will be. Beginning May 5, MTV.com will add to the fun by going platinum blonde with exclusive show content and extras. Viewers will be able to log onto LegallyBlonde.MTV.com to see cast profiles, photos, audition reels and performances; get info on Haylie Duff and the series judges; watch full episodes and the series trailer; and check-out deleted show scenes and episodic flipbooks exclusive to MTV.com.
As much as I hate the thought of Laura Bell Bundy leaving the show (she is, after all, one of the best new Broadway actresses of our time, you know) I have to agree that this competitive reality TV show to cast the part is pretty brills. I know I'll be watching each week as hopefuls
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