Students also used real cigarettes as props during a scene in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Medical school tends to have a strict "pre-med" track for entry, but not all undergrad programs have a "pre-law" track, so people of all different backgrounds attend law school. "My complaint about the courtroom scene is the complaint any lawyer would give you about trials in movies lawyers learn all of this during discovery," said Fuller. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. How did that make you feel? She doesnt even want to go back to that school, they told me. Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. pink-clad sorority girl-turned-Harvard Law student, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Musicals that tackle mature themes can sometimes prove problematic for high schools. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider ", "The student practice order allows law students to represent clients under the supervision of an attorney," Blefgen told Insider. "That issue was brought up to me verbally, but was not in any written paperwork," she said. See our. Legally Blonde Jr. "It can be really stressful and sometimes, like in the classroom on Elle's first day towards the beginning of the movie, the professors try to scare you a little. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Paramount to pay $122.5 million to settle lawsuit over CBS deal, Jussie Smollett finally appeals his conviction stemming from 2019 hate-crime hoax, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, The Scream 6 publicity stunts hit closer to home, prompting 911 calls in Sonoma, U.K. reality TV star Stephen Bear is sentenced to 21 months for OnlyFans revenge porn. It's not like she's doing this for the money. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Extends Through October 2023, SOME LIKE IT HOT Welcomes 380+ NYC Public School Students, Berkshire Theatre Group Sets 2023 Summer Season. On Elle's first day of law school, she's the only student in her class without a laptop and pulls a fluffy pink pen and heart-shaped notebook out of her purse. Elle Woods (Casey Shuler) still has her bright and confident personality with empowering songs that are complete with a backup Greek chorus to showcase her character development inPositive and So Much Better. While many characters in the cast are excellent, hairdresser Paulette (Sophie Grimm) and her hunky UPS man (James Doherty) dont fail to make the crowd laugh. "Critics were so pathetically dwelling on the irrelevant that they missed the key themes of the show completely the importance of perseverance, friendship, and combating the hurtful and oppressive stereotypes that so ruthlessly plague high school student populations everywhere. by BWW Staff Nov. 19, 2021 One day. I watched this several times once with my 10 year old brother who only got some of the sexual remarks which led to semi-inappropriate questions, so I would recommend talking to your kid about some of these things beforehand and how they arent okay. The Paramount Theatre is even hosting a free workshop for students ages 11 to 18 on Monday, Sept. 24 to prove that these lessons are crucial for a rising generation. In November, she directed and choreographed a well-attended production of Legally Blonde. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Jennifer Coolidge. ", Students and parents have since rallied around Hansen, showing their support by wearing Legally Blonde t-shirts to school and visiting their director at her home. the Los Angeles Times notes, and was deemed appropriate for general audiences. ", Bair also pointed out that Legally Blonde showcases stereotypes (some of which are initially offensive) in order to shatter them. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Legally Blonde (2/16/23-2/18/23) View More Shows. | ", "I had one professor who would chew you out in front of the whole class if you didn't know what it said in footnote 23," said Jameyanne Fuller, a student at Harvard Law School. But that's why I always endorse schools choosing the "Jr" versions of material to avoid these issues. David Ng is a former Company Town reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Date: Thursday, March 23rd Doors . Aside from dealing with self-doubt, Elle Woods, as a woman, is outnumbered by male lawyers and male law school students in "Legally Blonde.". People sure love their dogs out here in Portland and bring them to school pretty often," said Therrien. "Shout out to @Stanford for breaking their 'no filming' rule for us!" } Loveland, along with most schools across the U.S., has a strict no-alcohol policy, and Hansen was cited for a scene in the musical that includes a champagne party involving a group of buttoned-up Harvard University students. It therefore certainly seems reasonable enough to allow high school students to explore such themes artistically. Sat. Find more movies that help kids build character. This spring, the Central Kitsap High School Drama Team will be putting on "Legally Blonde: The Musical", with the help of CKHS's choir director Alicia Rodenko. ", "First, I want to apologize directly to Mrs. Hansen for the way this issue was handled," Loveland superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen said in a statement. Elle Woods is an amazing role model! Ohio High School Fires Director for Staging, An Ohio high school that fired the woman hired to direct its musicals is reassessing the goals of its drama program after school administrators expressed concerns over a production of the Tony Award-nominated musical, Film Studio A24 Buys Off-Broadway's Cherry Lane Theatre, World Premiere of Cameron Darwin Bossert's, Ariana DeBose, Amanda Seyfried, More to Star in Comedy Film, See Arinz Kene Explore Art and Gentrification in Photos of, See A Sneak Preview of 'Dancin' Man' from the Broadway Revival of. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. The Medford High School Drama Club staged its first large scale show in over two years, with four shows of Legally Blonde, the Musical Thursday April 7- Saturday April 9 in the High School . She is incredibly kind, unlike so many other rom-coms. Loveland school administration, including principal Kloesz and superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen, did not respond to Playbill.com's requests for an interview. Sign up for notifications from Insider! | There are reports that the issue surrounded the song Gay Or European? which is not listed in the Jr version. He added, "I'm also a big believer in allowing the arts to be the arts; that's why they're great. Hansen told the station that she was asked to resign or she would be fired. This is such a fun film! Despite what adults in the room might say, its unfair and unforgiving. Looking for Summer Camps for Special Needs? Chicago Parent, as a Zoe Communications Group company, is certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nations largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. The university implemented the rule due to "year-round campus activity" in order to protect "the privacy and safety of its students, faculty, and staff," the policy states. background: url(https://chicagoparent.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/legally-blonde-review-3.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; March 3, 2023, By She stands by her choice to stage Legally Blonde and to also give displaced students, who don't always fit the typical high school mode, a safe place to express themselves. Charming take on Jane Austen's Emma has sex, drugs. If youre looking for a show for the entire family to see, Legally Blonde is your pick. She did not provide or describe a specific problem with the productions content. Stars (low to high) stanlanadelrey Teen, 13 years old. 2 people found this helpful. Margaret Hall, November 30, 2021November 30, 2021. university of cambridge internship . Elle Woods doubts that she was chosen for her professor's exclusive internship for her academic rigor when he hits on her. "Some are gay and they have no place to fit in. Legally Blonde Jr Friday happening at Davison High School, 1250 North Oak Road,Davison,MI,United States, Davison, United States on Fri Mar 24 2023 at 05:30 pm . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Great comedy movie overall. "I spent that semester terrified of being called on.". background: url(https://chicagoparent.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/legally-blonde-review-2.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; Ultimately, the school postponed Hansen's auditions for the spring production of TheWill Rogers Follies. Samantha French Blackwell, a student at The University of Law in the UK has taken Elle's approach to heart. "A first-year law student would never be able to question witnesses in a criminal court. You can help us help kids by According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2018, women make up about 38% of lawyers. Read Legally Blonde reviews from kids and teens on Common Sense Media. Parents need to know that Legally Blonde is a tongue-in-cheek comedy starring Reese Witherspoon as aspiring lawyer Elle Woods. Elle wins the case for her unique knowledge of perm-maintenance techniques, allowing her to destroy the murderer's alibi in front of the court. A report from station WLWT in Cincinnati said that Sonja Hansen, a drama teacher at Loveland High School, has been forced to resign following the staging of the musical show. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. How did Elle's ability to hold to her values help her succeed where other, more experienced, lawyers fell short? This movie is amazing, one of my favorites but there are few things to watch out for younger kids. They've invested a lot of time, a lot of energy and we want to be able to showcase their talents, but we think there's a better way to do that. There were a dozen of other options that could be been implemented a dozen different times but this is a failure on every level and only the students are the ones who are being punished. Ohio school loses drama teacher over 'Legally Blonde' musical By David Ng Dec. 17, 2012 12 AM PT A high school production of the musical "Legally Blonde" in Ohio has been deemed by. With breathtaking vocals and a raw authenticity, Walt Whitman's production of "Legally Blonde The Musical" spoke to the idea that you never can judge a book by its cover. Fear the Tree," she continued. It follows the basic plot of the original movie released in . But Elle surprises them all -- and herself -- by becoming a first-class law student and lawyer while staying true to herself. All rights reserved. Right There!" While Harvard University does not allow commercial film shooting on its campus, many feature films have used the school as their setting due to its lax policies towards using its name in movies and television shows, according to a 2001 report by The Los Angeles Times. Therrien said that Elle's new friendships with her peers, despite their diverse backgrounds, are very possible. The Motion Picture Association of America gave the 2001 film of "Legally Blonde" a PG-13 rating, while MTI rates the musical property as PG, describing it as a "fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery.". Phillipsburg High School musical 'Legally Blonde' leads to parental criticism over content Updated: Feb. 20, 2012, 9:51 a.m. | Published: Feb. 20, 2012, 8:51 a.m. NEW! She's my reminder that I can do this.". While the story revolves around Elle finding empowerment in staying true to herself and her values, it does have some sexual references and stereotyping. She drops out of her internship until another professor encourages not to let "one prick ruin her life.". Instagram ; Syosset High School - 70 Southwoods Rd, Syosset, New York 11791-3204 . "She loved playing the role," he said. The musical opened on Broadway 2007 and has since been widely produced in local theaters around the country and abroad. But, Therrien pointed out, that the ruling only applies to third-year law students. The original movie was rated PG-13, while the Broadway stage production was appropriate for general audiences. A film of the Broadway production. "I do think the movie did a good job capturing how out-of-place and stupid you can feel when you're first starting law school," said Fuller. Situation Project, in partnership with the producers of Some Like It Hot, welcomed more than 380 NYC public school students and their teachers to attend a matinee performance of Some Like It Hot on Broadway. Witherspoon is a treasure in Legally Blonde. The musical is based on the popular film which is rated PG-13. There are some sexual references but most of them will go over younger kids' heads. Legally Blonde is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic in his feature-length directorial debut, and scripted by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith from Amanda Brown 's 2001 novel of the same name. Reese Witherspoon recently shared that "Legally Blonde" was initially supposed to be set on the campus of Stanford University after congratulating fellow alum, "Insecure" creator Issa Rae, for securing permission to film on school grounds. This includes a profesor trying to touch Elle. They would be a violation of the licensing agreements and if Maryville administrators try to do that, someone should report that to the rights holders, Music Theatre International, immediately. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Representatives for Stanford, Witherspoon, and Rae did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Harvard requires a personal statement of two pages, but also allows for an optional statement "to elaborate on how you could contribute to the diversity of the Harvard Law School community. One day before opening night, Maryville High School postponed performances of Legally Blonde after input from school administrators and the Board of Education. What shows are coming up next at Maize South High School. They've invested a lot of time, a lot of energy and we want to be able to showcase their talents, but we think there's a better way to do that." High priority status .90. As a high school thespian myself, I am fully aware of the work, effort, and excitement that surrounds a school musical and I cant begin to imagine the shock and pain of having that show canceled at the last moment for things out of your control. BUY TICKETS. She added, "Yes, the differences between Elle and the other students may be more than the differences between classmates in your average Harvard Law School class, but I definitely felt like I didn't belong for a while and I'm sure I'm not the only one.". She said that rehearsals were open and the she didnt hear any complaints. Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you! I am hoping, if possible, that a local theatre will open their doors and allow this production to be performed the way it was written and rehearsed by these students. I don't know whether male pupils have had the same experience, but it's hard to shake the feeling that you're not being taken entirely seriously," she added. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. March 3, 2023, By Not only does it feature a great female role model, this energetic, thoughtful and hilarious show shares the same positivemessages with a modern twist, which makes it the perfect show for your tweens and teenagers. Albrecht has previously announced she will be retiring at the end of the school year. Basically, it is an appropriate play for high school drama students to perform, and the result can be seen starting Friday at Benicia High School. Hilarious. Advertisement. What I do not want to happen is for school administrations to take matters into their own hands and edit the material themselves. However, despite the fact that the 2001 film was set at Harvard University, campus scenes for "Legally Blonde" were filmed at the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, California Institute of Technology, and Rose City High School, according to "The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations." User ID: 625240. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Would be good for a sleepover or something to watch with mom. and to be honest, adults along the way have let them down and I apologize for that and will certainly take action to make sure that doesn't happen again.". Fri. Mar 10th 2023, 7:00 pm. "What is really devastating to me is to see these kids come in and some of them, their spirit is crushed," she said. She explained that law school is "so different and hard" so the first year pushes you to think in a whole new way. baby measuring 1 week behind at 7 weeks ivf. Renee Schiavone/Patch Performances will be held at the Hillsborough High. Customer Reviews. Report this review. This is Albrechts last attempt to cement her legacy before she walks out the door.. Logan Culwell-Block The Maryville Forum reports Superintended Becky Albrecht said the material was not what she would "expect to see (or) feel is appropriate for the classroom - the language and some of the innuendo and things would not be appropriate classroom material - so I don't think therefore it is appropriate for the extension of the classroom. Stanford has a long-standing filming policy that forced "Legally Blonde" to use Harvard as its setting instead. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. The Keep it Positive workshop will cover topics like sexual harassment, assault and teen dating violence in order to motivate young individuals to develophealthy relationships. Stanford has a blanket policy against using its name in commercial films and filming on campus. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. We can debate whether or not the full production of Legally Blonde is appropriate for a high school production. The show tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back . Logan Culwell-Block Thats the main reason why the feminist comedy still resonates with audiences17 years later, even in musical form. . What role did her parents play in shaping the way she thought about her future? We have heard from parents and students expressing support and appreciation for Mrs. Hansen's dedication, and everyone's goal is the progress of the drama department. "Making friends in law school, is tough, but the aspect of the story where Elle maintains friendships with her college friends and forges friendships with people she didn't expect I'm looking at you, Vivienne Kensington is definitely possible," she added. "That's horrible for the kids. How does the musical hold up with the famous movie featuring Reese Witherspoon then? March 3, 2023. Hansen and another parent at the school told Playbill.com that attempts were made to address issues within the text and staging, and that a sign was placed in the lobby letting patrons know the production was rated PG. What I do not want to happen is for school administrations to take matters into their own hands and edit the material themselves. In this third Blonde chapter, Elle Woods's British twin cousins, Annie and Izzy (Camilla and Rebecca Rosso from The Suite Life !) 11 Customer reviews. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Obviously, they were devastated at the news. God bless them, the professors talk too fast for my pen to keep up," Therrien told Insider. I absolutely adored it. Students were permitted to finish the run of Legally Blonde (which received standing ovations after each performance), but Hansen was ultimately reprimanded by the administration, she says, for "going against the school's code of conduct." Legally Blonde (2/9/23-2/12/23) Newsies (2/6/20-2/9/20) A FUNNY THING.FORUM (2/4/16-2/7/16) Where is South Kingstown High School . Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. The company behind current Oscar nominee Everything Everywhere All at Once seems to have rescued the historic venue. Hansen said that she received approval from the school to stage the musical. High school un-cancels production of Rent, Theater review: Legally Blonde at the Pantages Theatre, INTERACTIVE: Christopher Hawthornes On the Boulevards. Performance happening at Davison High School, 1250 North Oak Road,Davison,MI,United States, Davison, United States on Thu Mar 23 2023 at 05:30 pm . Overall this is a great movie though! Broadway's "Rat Pack" features Sam Gravitte, Kathryn Allison, Luke Hawkins, and Jelani Remy. Loveland High School, located 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati, presented a November production of Legally Blonde, the 2007 stage musical based on the Golden Globe-nominated 2001 film of the same title. Really, everybody wants everybody else to do well," Fuller told Insider. Reese Witherspoon shared that "Legally Blonde" wasn't allowed to film at Stanford University. Syosset High School. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Helpful Report . What kinds of assumptions did people make about Elle based on her appearance? }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. Plagiarism report. The new musical features a book by Adam Rapp and music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine. The genre-defying work has transferred to Off-Broadway's The Shed. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. I really like how Elle's character is girly and fun but is not a villan. Davison High School | Davison, MI. To be able to empower them means so much to me.". Mar 10 - Mar 12 2023 . } Today, November 19th, students at Maryville High School in Maryville, MO were supposed to continue the weekend run of their Fall musical, Legally Blonde. Performance directed by Ms. BJ Muszynski! It's a place for everyone. Fun, frothy fashion tale has cursing and sex. It does not appear from the schools advertising of the production that Maryville was going to perform the Jr version. "Ms. Hansen has reinforced the importance of working together, respecting individual differences, honoring personal commitments, as well as demonstrated the joy and rewards that come with pursuing and nurturing one's passion. I watched this video on hollywoods demonisation of ultra femininity, and legally blonde is the perfect example of a film that conquers this. A giant iPhone takes over the set to even remind older audience members on how much has changed since the early 2000s. I think it depends on your kid, but if they are mature enough and mostly know about sex in general then they could watch it at a young age. "I have still been left to do menial tasks like take trial notes, make tea, pick up sandwiches for lunch, etc. The prevalence of male lawyers over female lawyers is real off-screen as well. See details about the productions, and how to purchase tickets! Sharing Educational Goals. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. "The movie totally skipped first-semester exams which is like the most stressful time in law school ever," said Fuller. In response, Witherspoon tweeted, "This is major! Jennifer Coolidge delivers an iconic performance as Elle's nail technician and friend, and it's fun to see Raquel Welch in a cameo as a wealthy divorce. While its unknown if the entire show was presented for students or just parts of it, whatever was performed was deemed inappropriate by Albrecht and after a quick meeting of the regions school board, the production has been postponed. The role of women is a popularly debated to There is growth and empowerment as the movie progresses, so teaching moments do exist, but there are far more negative stereotypes than positive ones overall. That event was attended by Maryville Superintendent Becky Albrecht. Bair is also the mother of three younger children, whom she took with her to see Legally Blonde.