I was 11 when “Legally Blonde” was first released in theaters. I can still remember walking out of that Texas movie theater during my family vacation one very hot summer. So as I sat in the Assembly Hall on Sunday evening waiting for “Legally Blonde: The Musical” to start, I was skeptical whether the musical would still hold that same preteen charm over me that the movie once had. As the venue filled with an audience that seemed to be half significantly older than me and half significantly younger, I wondered if the next few hours would be a torturous reminder of my younger, naïve self whose boyfriend called her “Pooh Bear” and who prided herself on owning that same heart-shaped necklace Reese Witherspoon famously donned in the film.

But as the curtain rose and the musical started, I slowly lost that sense of skepticism. Don’t get me wrong: It took a few numbers to give in to the “so not kidding right now’s” and the “totally’s,” but the cast eventually won me over. From the impressive choreography done in 4-inch heels to the cast’s terrific voices, the show proved that its members were not only a pure dose of talent, but also strong and committed to their work in this show. Musical numbers like “Chip on Your Shoulder,” “So Much Better” and “Legally Blonde” brought through the theme of the show: that determination and hard work can get you anywhere — something the cast can surely attest to. And an unexpected darker, yet still comical, song “Blood in the Water,” gave a good dash of cynicism and sarcasm to what could have been an overly superficial play.

Nikki Bohne’s version of Elle illustrated the evolution of the character perfectly, also making it seem natural and honest, without losing the characteristics of Elle’s former Hollywood-grown self. With beautiful voices, provocative comical moments and a fantastic supporting cast, the play provided a happy escape from a world of final exams and stress that most students on campus are gearing up for. Even the adorable dog that played Elle’s loving “member of the family” Bruiser would have been enough in its own right to sit through the show.

Plus, anything that makes fun of frat boys during a Jamaican dance number — well, let’s just say I’m all for it.

So while the idea of a cocktail party with chardonnay and lobster pot stickers (the soiree Vivienne notoriously invites Elle to attend) still sounds like my personal heaven and I’ll still probably choose East Coast argyle over a head-to-toe bright pink outfit any day, don’t think the irony of my own criticism wasn’t lost on me: half way through the play I realized I was taking notes on a very “Elle-like” planner, even equipped with pink paper. Maybe a little bit of Elle Woods is still emblazoned in me somewhere. And maybe, just maybe, that’s okay.

Kristy is a senior in Media.