"'Legally Blonde' has the makings of a great musical: a fun plot, strong characters and a truth that everyone can relate to," said Luftig. "We're confident our incredibly talented creative team will infuse the story with terrific music, a smart and sassy book and inspired direction and choreography. We are grateful to MGM On Stage President Darcie Denkert and Executive Managing Director Dean Stolber for the opportunity to bring one of MGM's crown jewels alive."
"Legally Blonde" tells the story of Elle Woods, Bel Air's favorite pink-clad blonde, and her equally stylish Chihuahua, Bruiser. After Elle's boyfriend dumps her at graduation, she gets accepted into Harvard Law School to win him back, then discovers that she has far more legal savvy than she ever imagined.
"Elle has been a star in two films, on DVD and home video around the world and is coming soon to television," said Denkert. "We can't wait to see her conquer Broadway."
"This is an amazing team," said Stolber. "I'm looking forward to enjoying the musical magic Jerry, Larry, Nell and Heather bring to Amanda Brown's inspired book and the terrific screenplay by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith."
Mitchell received a 2004 Tony Award nomination for his choreography of "Never Gonna Dance." This fall, he will choreograph Broadway-bound musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (another MGM On Stage project). Mitchell's previous credits include "Hairspray," "The Full Monty," "Gypsy," "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Film work includes "Camp," "In and Out," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous. He also has been the creative force and chief choreographer of "Broadway Bares" an annual fundraising event for Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS.
Hach wrote the screenplay for 2003's hit feature, "Freaky Friday." A former comedian and journalist, Hach won a 1999 Disney Fellowship for Screenwriting, and has written for television's "Caroline in the City" and "Dilbert." She is writing "The Governor's Wife" for Mandeville Films, and adapting the Kate Christensen book, "In the Drink."
Beginning with Harvard University's 145th Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Larry O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin have collaborated on numerous projects, most prominently "Sarah, Plain and Tall," which began as a children's theater project before developing into a highly-praised Off-Broadway musical. They also wrote "Mice," the first of the musicals in "Three," which played the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.
O'Keefe wrote the score for the award-winning Off-Broadway hit "Bat Boy: The Musical," as well as songs for "The Cat in the Hat" and "The Daily Show." O'Keefe won the 2001 ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizon Award and the 2001 Jonathan Larson Foundation Award.
Benjamin has written scripts for WB Network program "Unhappily Ever After." Benjamin received the 2003 Kleban Foundation Award as "the most promising lyricist in America," and also received a 2003 Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Grant.
Luftig, Fox Theatricals and Berinstein previously collaborated on "Thoroughly Modern Millie," which won 2002 six Tony Awards in 2002 including Best Musical. Luftig's other credits include "Movin' Out," the current off-Broadway production of "The Normal Heart," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Angels in America," and the 1998 revival of "The King and I."
Fox Theatricals is a producer of this season's Tony-nominated musical "Caroline, or Change." Other credits include Tony Award winners "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest;" "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "Death of a Salesman."
Berinstein has produced widely in theater, film and television, working with Fox Theatricals in producing "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Other credits include Tony winner "Fool Moon," and 30 films, including "Dirty Dancing" and " Unzipped." She is producing a documentary on the 2003-2004 Broadway season titled "Broadway: The Film."
PRESS RELEASE OF METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Legally Blonde" Cast Interviews and Photos
"Legally Blonde 2" Movie Review and News
