What’s On previews Legally Blonde musical in Abu Dhabi. The show – a film starring Reese Witherspoon, and Broadway musical – runs in May.

The Hollywood version made Reese Witherspoon a household name, while the Broadway musical adaptation was at one point raking in Dhs3.6 million a week – now, Legally Blonde has arrived in the capital.

The Abu Dhabi Choral Group will perform the hit show (about sorority girl Elle Woods, who enrols at Harvard to win back her ex-boyfriend) for four nights in May. The musical’s lead role is played by Alana Barraj, who has been involved with the group since 2011.

“It’s a straight adaptation of the movie – it has the same plotline, it has a big Broadway flavour and lots of dancing,” she says. “The music is so catchy the audience will be tapping their feet.”

Alana believes it’s a tale anyone can relate to. “The characters are caricatures of people you know in real life. You see the best and worst of people, but by the end of the story you’re pulling for them. And it’s just incredibly funny. It’s approachable.”

It’s also a pretty big production. “There’s a cast of 45 people and 25 people back stage including technical musicians and the director,” she adds.

The singer, who works at NYU University on Saadiyat Island, can’t wait to take on the role of ditzy Elle. “There are so many similarities between myself and this character,” she smiles. “It’s a dream to play her.”

May 7, 8, 9, 11
Abu Dhabi Theatre, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, 7.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (050) 4420029. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Theatre, near Marina Mall. abudhabichoralgroup.com