Very, very sad news today … unbeknownst to me, it has been recently announced that two of my favorite Broadway musicals will be closing within the next few weeks. Xanadu, it was previously announced, was scheduled to end its Broadway run on October 12 but has had their closing night moved up to this weekend! Legally Blonde is scheduled to close on October 19. Fortunately, both shows will live on in touring versions that will travel around the country but their respective runs on Broadway are, sadly, very close at hand:

Xanadu, the Tony-nominated musical based on the infamous flop film of the same name, will end its run two weeks earlier than recently announced. The producers of the musical had announced Sept. 16 that the musical comedy at the Helen Hayes Theatre would end its run Oct. 12. A new closing date was announced Sept. 23: Xanadu will now play its final Broadway performance Sept. 28 at 3 PM. The producers released a statement saying that the decision to close the show early was made to avoid losses in the current economic climate … Xanadu received four 2008 Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. The Xanadu cast recording is available on the PS Classics label. The national tour of Xanadu will kick off in November at the La Jolla Playhouse, followed by a six-month run at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre. Additional tour dates will be announced at a later time. A foreign production recently opened in Seoul, Korea. Plans are underway for productions in London (co-produced with David Ian and John Gore), China, Australia and the Philippines.

After 595 performances and 30 previews, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will play its final performance on Sunday, October 19, 2008. The show opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets) on April 29, 2007 following preview performances that began on April 3, 2007. The musical will continue to play across the country, in over 35 cities, on its first national tour. “Producing Legally Blonde has been one of the highlights of my career. Much like Elle Woods, the entire company, creative team and crew has worked with heart, wit, enthusiasm, integrity and style throughout the entire, thrilling run. I can’t wait for the rest of the country to be able to experience the show live,” said LEGALLY BLONDE’s lead producer Hal Luftig … The first national tour of LEGALLY BLONDE kicked off on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Rhode Island’s PPAC.

I understand from Pink reader Jamie that another fun Broadway musical [title of show] (which I have not been able to see) is also closing after opening this past July (it is scheduled to give its final performance also on October 19). I gotta say … all these closings are really sad. There are many theater purists out there who are, I’m sure, not at all sad to see these “frivolous” shows close down but I, for one, really enjoy them and find them an invigorating and refreshing way to get young people excited about musical theater. I am heartened by the fact that both Xanadu and Legally Blonde will live on in touring versions but … there is something sad and finite about a show closing on Broadway. This morning, I purchased a ticket to see Xanadu one last time before it closes … I’ll be at the Friday night performance. I urge any of y’all who are able to come out to see these shows on the Great White Way while you still have the chance.

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Legally Blonde: The Musical has cast its new Elle Woods and her name is Bailey Hanks. After an 8-week season of the MTV competitive reality TV series Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods Bailey beat out all the other contestants to win the lead role on Broadway. Here are a few pics of Bailey posing at The Palace Theater after it was announced that she was cast as the new Elle Woods:

And here are a few pics of Bailey taking her first night bows this past Wednesday night after successfully completing her premiere performance on Broadway:

Bailey Hanks won the MTV competition “The Search For The New Elle Woods” making her the new successor to Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods. She and her Legally Blonde “co-star” Bruiser, hit Times Square to ‘Bend & Snap’ and meet the press! On Monday, June 2, 2008, MTV premiered the reality show “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” to find a talented singer/actress/ dancer to take over for Broadway star and Tony Nominee Laura Bell Bundy. Thousands of talented young women came from across the country to make their dream a reality—as MTV and Legally Blonde The Musical teamed up to find Broadway’s new Elle Woods. After what might have been the toughest audition in Broadway history—comprising two months of workshops, training sessions, challenge after challenge and arduous eliminations—one remarkable rising star stood out from the crowd: Bailey Hanks, the 20-yr old Southern charmer with the complete package of extraordinary dancing, singing and acting skills. Not only was she cast in her dream role, she also recorded the hit single “So Much Better”, produced by Ghostlight, now available on iTunes.com and Amazon.com. On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Bailey made her Broadway debut as “Elle Woods”, the role that made Reese Witherspoon and Laura Bell Bundy stars, at Broadway’s famed Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway. A big fan of the movie, when Bailey learned about MTV’s auditions for “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” she didn’t hesitate to drive from her hometown of Anderson, S.C., to Nashville, Tenn., to follow her dream of being on Broadway in her favorite musical. A genuine Southern Belle, this pastor’s daughter has been dancing and performing for 15 years and has starred in The Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical, A Year With Frog and Toad, Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, High Steppin’ Country and more. A former beauty pageant queen, Bailey won the Miss Liberty Teen pageant in 2006 and one of her most memorable performances to date has been singing the national anthem for President Bill Clinton in 2000 … Autumn, the first runner-up in the competition known for her curly red hair & dazzling singing voice, will understudy the role of Elle Woods on Broadway and will perform in the ensemble. Lauren, the youngest contestant on the reality show, will understudy Becky Gulsvig, who stars as Elle Woods on tour, and will be a member of the ensemble. Rhiannon, known for her enthusiasm and stage presence, will play the role of Margot, Elle’s best friend, on tour.

It’s pretty crazy to think that any person without any supposed previous experience can audition for a reality TV show and then end up with a starring role on Broadway … there really is no biz like show biz. Congrats goes out to Bailey for this very cool accomplishment. I hope she makes the most of her opportunity and reaches new heights of success.

I am still pretty bummed that Laura Bell Bundy, the original Elle Woods on Broadway, had to say goodbye to the show … I really love that girl. Here are a few pics of LBB’s final bow on the night of her final performance as Elle Woods:

Click HERE to watch exclusive video from Broadway World of LBB’s last night as Elle in Legally Blonde. She will be missed.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Laura Bell Bundy, star of Legally Blonde The Musical, brought the curtain down on her tenure as Elle Woods on Broadway. Last night was LBB’s final show as Elle, ahead of tonight’s announcement regarding her replacement. As you know, MTV has been airing The Seach for Elle Woods for the past few weeks and tonight we find out who wins the role of Elle Woods on Broadway (will it be Autumn, Bailey or Rhiannon?) … but first, the show has to say goodbye to Laura Bell — Broadway’s original Elle Woods, who will always remain irreplaceable to me:

Tony-nominated actress Laura Bell Bundy will “bend and snap” one final time as Elle Woods in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde July 20. Bundy has been with Legally Blonde since its 2005 readings and earned a 2007 Best Actress Tony Award nomination for her turn as Legally Blonde’s pink-clad heroine. The musical is based on the 2001 MGM movie that starred Reese Witherspoon. Triple-threat Bundy made her Broadway debut in the 2002 original cast of Hairspray as Amber Von Tussle and is known for her turns in Wicked and Ruthless!, for which she earned Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations as Tina Denmark. On screen Bundy has been seen in “Dreamgirls,” “Guiding Light,” “Jumanji,” “Life with Mikey,” “Adventures of Huck Finn,” “Home Improvement,” “Strangers with Candy” and “Curtis Court.” Bundy released her solo country debut recording “Longing for a Place Already Gone” last year. Representatives for the Tony-nominated actress state that Bundy is currently developing a television project and is at work on her next album. Bundy’s replacement will be named on the July 21 episode of the MTV reality competition “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.” On July 23 at 8 PM, the next Elle Woods – who will be determined by a panel of Legally Blonde casting directors, production associates and director/choreography Jerry Mitchell – will take over in the lead role at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.

I imagine last night’s performance was a fun, yet difficult one for Laura Bell … it must be hard to exit a role that you originate on Broadway. I’ve been fortunate enough to see LBB as Elle in the show a couple of times and I know that the new girl has got some big shoes to fill. I am very much looking forward to hearing about LB’s next project — but I hope she takes some time off to relax for a minute before plunging headlong into another big commitment. I wish nothing but the best for her and I’m sending her much congrats and all my love today.

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