Notwithstanding a highly unwelcome hurricane, it may have seemed to some that something was missing from an otherwise quite pleasant summer. What was it? We had lots of good weather, bountiful gardens and abundant seafood. Oh, of course, it was Sally Struthers.

Well, she’s back. For what is now an expected annual visit, the veteran actress again graces the stage of the Ogunquit Playhouse. As in several recent roles here, she’s playing a brassy mama with a heart of gold — this time, she’s Paulette the hairdresser in “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” It fits her (particularly comic) talents well.

Fans of the film will remember the plot about a young woman who goes to Harvard in pursuit of her boyfriend and discovers both her true self and a profession. In its musical version, “Legally Blonde” is like wow or, to use an oft-repeated refrain from the show: “Omigod you guys!”

At one point in the show, the main character’s new love interest extols the virtues of an energy drink and that kind of reflects how this show works on you. This is about as high-energy a musical as could be imagined. When the dancer/singers periodically come spinning out to hard driving pop-rock music, their energy fills the room. But it’s not like the show is trying to overwhelm with sight and sound — it’s also cute and funny.

Becky Gulsvig takes the lead role of Elle. Supported by her UCLA sorority sisters, she nonetheless finds it hard going at Harvard Law, where sophistication and East Coast grittiness clash with her preferred lifestyle in pink.

Judging by Saturday’s matinee performance, Gulsvig is a charmer, whether dancing in some finely-choreographed ensemble passages or trying to stay ever so cattily “Positive” amid condescending classmates who are taught by a tough professor (Michael Rupert reprising a role he originated on Broadway) to look for “Blood in the Water.”

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The music mixes backbeat funk with elements of reggae, rap and even some Celtic variations. In the latter mode, Struthers gave a strong solo performance on “Ireland,” a vehicle which provides her back story of lost love. She also impressed with a seemingly back-breaking dance segment.

Coleen Sexton gave a strong performance as a falsely accused exercise entrepreneur who puts the whip back into being “Whipped Into Shape.” Laura D’Andre sneered a lot in her role as a rival of Elle before eventually being won over to the sisterhood.

Matt Ragas and Barry Anderson play the love interests, old and new, and each had moments to reveal substantial vocal gifts.

This show, based on original direction by Jerry Mitchell, features many small and medium sized human parts and each is well written and acted. It really is a lot of fun and feels about as recent in its style and humor as anything that’s played in Maine summer theater in a while.

Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.

 


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