The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Elle's ambition inspired me to balance having a feminine personality and still being studious, and could really help send the same message to other 10 year olds. "Just like Elle, I was able to represent clients while working in a walk-in clinic. Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you! How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? While the story revolves around Elle finding empowerment in staying true to herself and her values, it does have some sexual references and stereotyping. A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. You can help us help kids by Common Sense Media. High School Cancels Performances of LEGALLY BLONDE Due To 'Language & Innuendo' Concerns The production was set to begin performances the following evening. It follows the basic plot of the original movie released in . Smithfield High School presents. Her biggest challenge is what to wear for what she thinks will be a marriage proposal from her beau, Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis). Nursing Management Business and Economics Marketing +89. One of the biggest controversies took place in 2009 in Orange County, when administrators at Corona del Mar High School pulled the plug on a student production of Rent.. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. #tdi_87 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { Legally Blonde (2/16/23-2/18/23) View More Shows. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. Not a prude here - but almost every scene had a crass sexual reference or joke - beware for the younger kids who aren't ready for this. 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. 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.". In Elle's very first class, she's randomly called upon to answer a question and subsequently kicked out for not doing the reading. Fear the Tree," she continued. How does the musical hold up with the famous movie featuring Reese Witherspoon then? "During orientation, Harvard Law School actually played the clip of Elle's admissions video with the admissions committee deciding to let her in, and then they swore that's not how they made decisions," said Fuller. Davison High School | Davison, MI. Its a really great movie but not for younger kids. Parents need to know that Legally Blonde is a tongue-in-cheek comedy starring Reese Witherspoon as aspiring lawyer Elle Woods. "Professors do call on you at random and you have to be always prepared for anything they may ask," said Emma Therrien, a student at Lewis and Clark Law School. The role of women is a popularly debated to She drops out of her internship until another professor encourages not to let "one prick ruin her life.". the Los Angeles Times notes, and was deemed appropriate for general audiences. The Paramount Theatre's latest production of "Legally Blonde" will exceed movie fans' expectations. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Aside from the shift to the present day, the production still holds true to what makes this movie-to-stage musical special. Plan ahead! But Elle surprises them all -- and herself -- by becoming a first-class law student and lawyer while staying true to herself. background: url(https://chicagoparent.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/legally-blonde-review-3.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; 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. Ultimately, the school postponed Hansen's auditions for the spring production of TheWill Rogers Follies. She said that any innuendo that might feel inappropriate would likely go unnoticed by young audience members. The dispute centers on the schools production of Legally Blonde, the musical based on the popular Reese Witherspoon movie. Davison High School | Davison, MI. Bair is also the mother of three younger children, whom she took with her to see Legally Blonde. "There are no dramatic reveals in the middle of a trial.". Maize South High School is at 3701 N Tyler Rd, Wichita, KS. 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. Fabulously fun and international award-winning Legally Blonde - The Musical is the ultimate Broadway tribute to Girl Power! What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? is legally blonde appropriate for high school. 2023 Zoe Communications Group | 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite #LL-M974, Chicago, IL 60604 | 708.386.5555 | Website by Web Publisher PRO, ParentEd Talks: Free Virtual Speaker Series, A Concerned Parents Guide to Gun Violence and Gun Safety, Brought to you by Camp O at The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School. 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. Well, get ready to double your fun with Legally Blondes! Harvard Law School's admission FAQ states that they consider applications from all undergraduate majors, but do favor "a broad college education" as opposed to a specialized skill. 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.". The issue began after the production was shown to students during a Wednesday morning assembly. If a decision like this was to be made, it should have been made before the show was even cast. Logan Culwell-Block How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? There are references to lap dances, body parts, wet T-shirt contests, and long interludes in the hot tub. ", Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3.03. Hansen. Blefgen added, "Many law schools have a restriction on the amount of hours that first-year students can work. 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. 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. Andrew Gans "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. 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. Logan Culwell-Block Customer Reviews. During the showing held for students late Wednesday morning, she noted material that she wouldnt 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 dont think therefore it is appropriate for the extension of the classroom.. Overall this is a great movie though! "I never saw anyone leave. She explained that law school is "so different and hard" so the first year pushes you to think in a whole new way. That's horrible for the kids. Leah Putnam "Pretty much everyone uses a laptop in classes, though some people do handwrite notes. They don't talk and suddenly they're talking, smiling and making friends. She said that there are no bad words in the music for the production. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Legally Blonde is a great and funny movie. "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. We only wish the school administration had done the same. That event was attended by Maryville Superintendent Becky Albrecht. #7 in Global Rating. ", 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 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. Common Sense Media. Date: Friday, March 24th Doors Open: 6: . Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. ", He added, "On behalf of the district, I want to thank Mrs. Hansen for the success she achieved during her tenure in growing the participation of the drama department, and for the powerful impact she made in the lives and development of many Loveland students. 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 . | Witherspoon and the art direction (even the credits have i's dotted with hearts) keep things bubbly even when the script falters into predictability. Yes it is silly and a bit of a stretch when it comes to the logistics of what a real harvard law student would be able to do, but it's a super important movie. Really, everybody wants everybody else to do well," Fuller told Insider. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Jennifer Coolidge. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 1770. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. He said he did hear a few parents state the show was more mature than they anticipated, but nothing that he felt would turn into a formal complaint or result in Hansen's termination. Elle decides that the only way to get Warner back is to join him at Harvard. Finished Papers. Consider Camp O, Best Things to Do with Chicago Kids in March, Sensory-Friendly Attractions and Activities in Chicagoland, Lincoln Park Zoo Offers Unique Youth Programs for Toddlers to Teens. Often you'll be competing against students at your law school and other law schools. ! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Students involved in the show were notified Wednesday night of the postponement. | Sharing Educational Goals. So we went to Harvard instead.". Albrecht has previously announced she will be retiring at the end of the school year. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. So she studies hard, aces the LSATs, and, with the help of a very unique application essay, is admitted. A high school drama teacher in suburban Cincinnati is apparently out of a job after choosing to stage "Legally Blonde," the Broadway musical based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon. "The district had a change in administration, and procedures were not in place for proper articulation of expectations and goals for the drama department. "A first-year law student would never be able to question witnesses in a criminal court. Elle Woods is the definition of not judging a book by its cover (or hair color). In short, I am a little surprised by the 4 star review and the age classification from Common Sense on this one. What Albrecht has done is nothing short of traumatizing and is incredibly irresponsible. I previously went to drama school and only decided to go down the legal track last year," said Blackwell. 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. However, there is a heavy amount of innuendo and a few directly sexual remarks. The prevalence of male lawyers over female lawyers is real off-screen as well. Brilliant but foulmouthed rom-com with typical girly girl stereotypes. What shows are coming up next at Maize South High School. Now 30 and a graduate of Howard University and Georgetown University's law programs, Boggan looks back fondly on "Legally Blonde," her favorite movie thatfirst introduced her to the field she now works inand inspired her Instagram handle (@the_black_ellewoods)not to mentionthe pink blazer she often wore to class. The original movie was rated PG-13, while the Broadway stage production was appropriate for general audiences. when was sharks and minnows invented. When Legally Blonde came out in theaters in 2001, the movie made it clear that the story wasnt your typical teen rom-com. Legally Blonde (The High School Project) February 15 to February 26, 2023 Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture Buy Tickets OMG you guys!! Stars (low to high) stanlanadelrey Teen, 13 years old. pink-clad sorority girl-turned-Harvard Law student, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "She's not what you think of when you think of an attorney," Boggan says of the movie's main character, Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon). March 3, 2023, By Sonja Hansen, a local professional dancer and choreographer, was hired by Loveland High to direct the school's musical productions. What I do not want to happen is for school administrations to take matters into their own hands and edit the material themselves. 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 shared that "Legally Blonde" wasn't allowed to film at Stanford University. One day before opening night, Maryville High School postponed performances of Legally Blonde after input from school administrators and the Board of Education. 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. Stanford has a blanket policy against using its name in commercial films and filming on campus. 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. "I love how nervous Elle is at first in the courtroom scene. 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. You can get the Turnitin report from the writer on request along with the final deliverable. Comes To Kingston Center For The Arts. By David Foster | The. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. She added, "Like it or not, mature and sensitive themes woven into this performance will eventually touch on the lives of all high school students in one way or another. 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. 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. Not only does it feature a great female role model, this energetic, thoughtful and hilarious show shares the same positive messages with a modern twist, which makes it the perfect show for your tweens and teenagers. Mar 12th 2023, 2:00 pm. There are reports that the issue surrounded the song Gay Or European? which is not listed in the Jr version. 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. 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. "Legally Blonde: The Musical" tells the story of a young woman who perseveres despite obstacles and grows over time. She said it's not uncommon to apply to "opportunities in the fall that won't take place until the following summer." We had no one ask for refunds," she said of Legally Blonde's run. We can debate whether or not the full production of Legally Blonde is appropriate for a high school production. Fri. Mar 10th 2023, 7:00 pm. Students, who learned of the news from Principal Kloesz prior to Hansen being informed, began texting their teacher. Thats the main reason why the feminist comedy still resonates with audiences17 years later, even in musical form. Your privacy is important to us. | Find more movies that help kids build character. A film of the Broadway production garnered high ratings when it aired on MTV in 2007, and Music Theatre International is also developing a Broadway Junior version for young audiences. "At least at my school in Oregon, Elle bringing Bruiser everywhere is very realistic. While it seems that most people wouldn't be able to bring their Chihuahuas to class, unless Elle has a service dog, some schools do allow it. Helpful Report . Syosset High School. "I could easily relate to the feeling Elle had when she saw her name on the list of students who had been selected for Callahan's internship," said Sabrina Blefgen, a student at The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. The cancellation received national attention, leading the school to allow the production to continue as planned. REVIEWS HIRE. 11 Customer reviews. Witherspoon is a treasure in Legally Blonde. How 'Legally Blonde' influenced a generation of women lawyers "What, like it's hard?" Elle Woods famously quipped when her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III was shocked to see that she was also. Come watch The Actors Playhouse Legally Blonde Jr. "That's horrible for the kids. If youre looking for a show for the entire family to see, Legally Blonde is your pick. But he's decided to break up with her before he leaves for Harvard Law School because she's not "serious" enough to help him in his political career. 2 people found this helpful. 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 kinds of assumptions did people make about Elle based on her appearance? Facebook; Smithfield High School Auditorium - 90 Pleasant view Avenue, Smithfield, RI 02917 . #tdi_87 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { 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. He added, "I'm also a big believer in allowing the arts to be the arts; that's why they're great. March 4, 2023, By . I was suggest watching it with an older kid as their are some inappropriate scenes and messages. While the story revolves around Elle finding empowerment in staying true to herself and her values, it does have some sexual references and stereotyping. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. Her new classmates are skeptical and tease her. 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. Some strong language. 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." Performance directed by Ms. BJ Muszynski! I spoke to one parent who told me their child hasnt stopped crying since the announcement came. What I do not want to happen is for school administrations to take matters into their own hands and edit the material themselves. We are surprised and disappointed that an educator who put on a show about a woman succeeding through education was fired for it. Get our L.A. 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. "It's postponed and we understand that the kids have invested a lot of time and energy and also we regret that it came at such a last minute," she said. In this third Blonde chapter, Elle Woods's British twin cousins, Annie and Izzy (Camilla and Rebecca Rosso from The Suite Life !) Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Books About LGBTQ+ Youth, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews. The parents' guide to what's in this movie. OMG you guys!!! Musicals that tackle mature themes can sometimes prove problematic for high schools. One of the major reasons why it was a poor performance is due to lack of proper portrayal of charm by Elle Woods who according to the . God bless them, the professors talk too fast for my pen to keep up," Therrien told Insider. Hilarious. The musical is based on the popular film which is rated PG-13. March 3, 2023, By We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hansen said that she received approval from the school to stage the musical. | }. David Ng is a former Company Town reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Due to popular demand, tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong are now on sale through October 29, 2023. How did that make you feel? In LEGALLY BLONDE, Southern California sorority girl Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is about to graduate with a major in fashion marketing. A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. 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. we greatly appreciate everyone who took their time and" Loveland school administration, including principal Kloesz and superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen, did not respond to Playbill.com's requests for an interview. To Stacey Menjivar, a 29-year-old rising third year law student at Harvard and co-vice president of the school's Women's Law Association, one of the highlights of "Legally Blonde" is the way it . After Elle's boyfriend dumps her at graduation, she gets accepted into Harvard Law School to win him back, then discovers she has far more legal savvy than she ever imagined. 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. Sexual themes and references, and some bad language, but I think this is amazing for teens! 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 . This courtroom comedy might not reach the heights of the sublime My Cousin Vinny, but it comes pretty close. Are not these messages entirely consistent with the CORE values that are drummed into the heads of our students from the time they enter kindergarten within the Loveland School district? She did not provide or describe a specific problem with the productions content. Aside from dealing with self-doubt, Elle Woods, as a woman, is outnumbered by male lawyers and male law school students in "Legally Blonde.". A film of the Broadway production. 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. Mar 11th 2023, 7:00 pm. All rights reserved. Officials were careful about negatively characterizing the courtroom scene "There! 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! All rights reserved. The story follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be legally blonde and STILL the smartest person in the room. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. "That issue was brought up to me verbally, but was not in any written paperwork," she said. Legally Blonde. Looking for something to do with your child with special needs? It's a place for everyone. "Legally Blonde" shows Elle Woods' law-school journey, from application to courtroom. 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. 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 . When the UCLA sorority queen is dumped by her boyfriend, she is up to the task to do what it takes to win him back by following him to Harvard Law School. 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. They said Elle's school experience was pretty spot on but her court experience was not. "Your classmates now are your future colleagues, after all, and, honestly, law school is hard enough without competing with each other.". Elle's professor makes a pass at her. There are some sexual references but most of them will go over younger kids' heads. Parents had the discretion to not bring young kids to it, but lots of people have seen the movie by now and should understand the show.". 1 on iTunes Charts, 36 songs, no apologies: Morgan Wallen delivers more (much more) of what made him countrys king, Joy Behar kicks off Joys Banned Book Club with gay-penguin tale And Tango Makes Three, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Best coffee city in the world? "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. 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." Plus, Elle must deal with struggles such as her ex, Warner (TylerLain) consideringher a Marilyn instead of a Jackie and even more serious issues that occur with her boss, Professor Callahan (James Rank). 2646. Kloesz, according to Hansen, cited "bootie-bounce dance moves" and the use of the word "skank" in the script. What were they, and how did she prove them wrong? Parents need to know that Legally Blonde is a tongue-in-cheek comedy starring Reese Witherspoon as aspiring lawyer Elle Woods.