At 26 years old, Becky Gulsvig has been on tour since September for her lat-
est Broadway show, Legally Blonde, The Musical. Growing up in Minnesota and
moving to New York right after high school, Becky started auditioning and taking
theatre classes at a very young age. She elaborates, “I grew up singing in church
and school and I’ve just always had music around me. There was also a great mar-
ried couple in my hometown who started a dance studio where I danced growing
up. I just had a great time with it and grew up loving it. I think that’s the biggest
thing with this business. You have to love it!”
Gulsvig has lived in New York for nine years now and made her Broadway début
as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray. Becky says, “I was in that for two years. “It was
amazing. Such a great film, such a fun thing to make a Broadway début. It was
awesome.”
Soon after Hairspray, Gulsvig was cast in the original Legally Blonde, The Musical.
Its main character, Elle Woods and the musical has grown a huge gay following.
Becky says, “Of course it has! It’s pink and fabulous, sparkly and awesome! But I
think Elle’s a very relatable character for anyone. She follows her dreams, kicks
stereotypes and has to work her way out of it. We’ve had a lot of the gay audience
Becky Gulsvig as Elle. Photography by Joan Marcus
come and just love it.” Gulsvig relates to Elle Woods herself. Becky continues,” I
think being in this business alone will make you relate to Elle Woods. You defi-
nitely always have to stick up for yourself and fight for what you want. Stay true to
yourself and keep believing! I think that’s very relatable.”
Director/Choreographer Jerry Mitchell received a 2007 Tony nomination for
the musical adaptation of the movie and takes it to a new level of fun. Becky said,
“They did a great job, you definitely get all the things that were in the movie that
you loved but you also get more. That’s why it’s been such a success—because
people have a really good time and you get to see the character you love but you
also get to see more of them. You see more of Paulette, the beautician, you see
more of the elements of relationships, which is terrific and of course the element
of song and dance. Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin have written incredibly
catchy tunes which will not leave your head, guaranteed. Jerry Mitchell just did
a wonderful job of creating a joy machine. It takes off and you just have so much
fun. It’s really a great time. The fact that I get to be on stage the whole time. I get to
take the audience on a journey, from point A to point Z. and Elle Woods goes on
such a personal journey herself. It’s just so much fun to do the whole thing.”
Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods, was a MTV reality show from where
runner-ups Rhiannon Hansen and Lauren Ashley Zakrin now get to join the cast
on the tour. Becky explains, “They’re really great girls, they are my understudies,
Becky Gulsvig as Elle Woods and the cast. Photography by Joan Marcus
they’re terrific.” Understudies definitely came in good use when Becky’s lead
role was alternated by Laura Bell Bundy and Zakrin due to an injury suffered by
Gulsvig. She explains, “Yeah, I broke my big toe! I was out of the show for six weeks
on crutches. But it’s better now, so that’s good. It’s high heels for two and a half
hours straight. And not dance shoes, they’re like very high heels with different
shoes every week. So my body takes a beating. I try to get a lot of rest and take
extra good care. Not overdo it. The physicality of it can be really challenging. Do-
ing it eight times a week, traveling on your day off. Not being able to really get in
a pattern or a routine.”
Last but not least, of course the biggest stars of the show are Chihuahua, Bruiser
(played by Frankie) and Rufus, a white bulldog (played by Nellie). Becky explains,
“We travel with four dogs and their all rescue dogs. Having the dogs on stage,
you always have to be careful of the treats. We’ve had times that if you spill the
chicken, the dog is very distracted and they miss the barking cue that is in a little
dish. It keeps it real for ya—when you have to pick up dog food and then sing your
song. But we have been relatively hazard-free which has been nice.”
Legally Blonde, The Musical runs September 8 – 20 at The Orange County Performing Arts Center.
Call 714.556.2121 or visit
OCPAC.org for tickets and more information.
Becky Gulsvig as Elle Woods and the cast. Photography by Joan Marcus
september 2009 | RAGE monthly 11
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