OMG! Blonde Releasing Album & Making Changes???

Lots going on for the West End run of Legally Blonde the Musical. For starters, the production has an Original Cast album (recorded live at Duncan James’ final performance on 14 June) coming out on 2 August. Producers are also currently developing potential tie-in television projects and are in talks with with several production companies. Meanwhile, preliminary cast contracts expire in October, so expect a number of major and ensemble cast changes in the last week.

Director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell is apparently returning for the new cast auditions, although many of the ensemble have shown interest in staying on. Paulette will definitely be recast as Jill Halfpenny is confirmed to be leaving, but there are hopes Sheridan Smith may be persuaded to extend into a second year as Elle (the show is currently booking until 20 February 2011 at the Savoy Theatre).

With the changes in cast, performances will revert to a straight Monday though Saturday schedule dropping the Sunday show. And more immediately, an exclusive Q&A session following the evening performance this Thursday (15 July) sees Sheridan Smith joined by Laura Bell Bundy, the original Elle Woods from the Broadway production.