By M&C Smallscreen May 3, 2008, 20:28 GMT
MTV will provide an authentic first-hand look at what it takes to star in a Broadway musical. Actress Haylie Duff Stars In The Eight-Episode Series that premieres Monday, June 2nd At 10p.m. ET/PT
Haylie Duff - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
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.”
Actress Haylie Duff 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 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.
Based on MGM’s hit film, Legally Blonde The Musical follows sorority star Elle Woods, who doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law.
Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Nominated for seven Tony Awards®, "Legally Blonde The Musical" opened on Broadway on Sunday, April 29, 2007.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording for "Legally Blonde The Musical," was released on Ghostlight Records, capturing the #1 slot on the Billboard Cast Album chart, and charting at #86 on the Billboard Top 200.
The album has continued its success, charting every week as one of the top-selling Broadway cast recordings. This fall, MGM continues its girl empowerment franchise, releasing “Legally Blondes,” a new movie for the home entertainment marketplace starring Camilla Rosso and Rebecca Rosso as the British twin cousins of Elle Woods who move to Los Angeles to attend high school.
"Our Lips Are Sealed" for the "A Cinderella Story" soundtrack, and sang Madonna's song "Material Girl" for the "Material Girls" soundtrack.
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