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"Legally Blonde The Musical" set to close on Oct. 19
Bailey Hanks of Anderson, S.C. sings Legally Blonde Musical song "So Much Better" in front of hundreds of fans at the Civic Center of Anderson.
Bailey Hanks, right, of Anderson arrives at the Civic Center of Anderson Monday. Ms. Hanks sang a Legally Blonde Musical song "So Much Better" in front of hundreds of fans at the Civic Center of Anderson.
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“Legally Blonde The Musical” will say its last “Omigod!” in the Palace Theatre on Broadway in less than a month as the show’s curtain comes down.
On Oct. 19, the musical based on the popular Reese Witherspoon film will close after nearly 600 shows that date back to April 29, 2007. The show opened to mixed reviews and seven Tony nominations and experienced a surge in July when Anderson’s own Bailey Hanks won the role of Elle Woods in the MTV reality show “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.”
However, according to Broadway.com, the show has lost that buzz in recent weeks with the theater only filling to 60 percent capacity on average.
Hanks made local and national news when she won the role of Elle Woods on Broadway in July and debuted on July 23. For weeks, the show experienced near 90 percent capacity thanks to the buzz generated by the MTV show and the media blitz that accompanied it.
But it would seem even pink pumps and bubbly personalities are not immune to a tough economy as the producers, including Director Jerry Mitchell, were forced to announce a final curtain call for the show.
“She was sad (to hear it was ending),” said Brad Hanks, Bailey’s father. “She shed a few tears, but she’s strong, and it just might open up some opportunities for her in the near future.”
Productions will run eight times a week through Oct. 19. “Legally Blonde The Musical” will still be seen on tour throughout the United States into 2009, including a stop at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville. Mr. Hanks said Bailey has expressed an interest in taking part in that tour production, at least.
“She had an idea this was going to end, but didn’t expect it so soon,” Mr. Hanks said. “But she is going to stick it out in New York and has some other things in the works right now.”
Bailey Hanks is a 2004 Pendleton High School graduate and the daughter of Brad and Angie Hanks of Anderson.
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in response to robmacgreg
Outstanding comment. Even funnier!
I hate it for Bailey, but sorta makes me think of the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it is." Maybe she can try out for another show....
It won't be long and most everything will be dying. Crooked people have ruined this country,like the 700 Billion dollar Patch. Radio is still a bigger star than anyone and that is great to me, cause he is just himself. The thing is there is a lot of talent in the upstate but none of them have the gall to make it all talk. I'm talking about musicians, actors and all. They are going to do what their wife or husband or what anyone else wants, not what they have trained for years and years, and usually when the chance comes up they somehow back out.
in response to Freedom_Of_Speech
I admired your random thoughts on this post, Just piecing it together:
"It won't be long and most everything will be dying."
this is true; its been a bad drought. And most of us end up dieing.
"Crooked people have ruined this country,like the 700 Billion dollar Patch."
This CAN be true although sometimes crooked people have their upsides, guess it depends on your relation to them...thanks for bringing this up!!!!!
"Radio is still a bigger star than anyone and that is great to me, cause he is just himself"
Except of course when he is being played by famous actors
"The thing is there is a lot of talent in the upstate but none of them have the gall to make it all talk. I'm talking about musicians, actors and all."
I agree people need to stop doing and start talking......all of em...what we need in this world is a little less action and more lip flapping!!!
"They are going to do what their wife or husband or what anyone else wants, not what they have trained for years and years,"
Guess we are still talking about the actors and musicians????? Its high time people stop listening to their families and well....now im confused.....
"and usually when the chance comes up they somehow back out."
hmmmmmmmmm?????????? Is it happy hour yet?
The negative commentors are, well......just plain sad. Bailey Hanks will never ask anyone, "Will you have fries with that?" I assure you. She has done a great job so far, it truely is an awesome show! She already has opportunities elsewhere so ya'll don't worry too much! Bailey is such a sweet girl. I am so HAPPY FOR HER.
I wish the best of success for Bailey in a very tough business to break into.
I do not understand the negative posts here about this.
Donna McKechnie was a classmate of mine many years ago, she made it in a musical called "Chorus Line", after that other Broadway and TV productions. From her friends I learned a little about what it takes for success.
Bailey, you are so beautiful and talented. We are proud you are from Anderson. May your star continue to shine for many years to come!
in response to robmacgreg
That was a mean thing to say.
I bet she can get a good job doing some of the shows that they have at Dollywood.I have seen those shows and the singers and dancers all seem to have a good time and look like they really enjoy singing and dancing.
in response to robmacgreg
LOL, good one.maybe we don't have to change the name of Anderson to Baileyville after all.
This is all Joey Preston's fault. When is Anderson County going to wake up and do something about him?
If you'll check your facts, I think you'll find that Bailey has a 4-year college degree from an accredited school. Her Broadway experience was only a stepping stone to what is next. Sounds like some sour grapes on here. What did Bailey get that you wanted, Rob?
looks like to me that rob is just jealous that it's not HIS family or daughter..........i think this was awesome for Anderson - AND - Bailey !!!!
in response to rowrow
I agree.... Keep up the good work Bailey.
in response to Lamanamanumi
Lamanamanumi you're close, but you got it wrong. It's not Preston's fault. It's all George Bush's fault. But . . . never fear. Obama will fix it all when his "change" occurs!
Well look at some of the responses here and itis no wonder yankees from NY look down on you. If she has talent, maybe she will survive in NY and move on to do other things.If not she has the key to the city here. The possibilities.... endless. HA!
I am very proud of Bailey. I hope she continues to follow her dreams and ignore negative comments like the ones in this article. I support the residents of the Anderson community who do something positive with their lives and for the image of Anderson. How often in the news do you hear good news? It is sad that the show will not go on for the Broadway cast, but I do know that Bailey has talent and will go far in life. She is pursuing her dreams and not someone else's. Way to go, Bailey! I am proud of you and am keeping you and your family in my prayers each night. May God Bless You!
in response to robmacgreg
Well I'm an "artsy-fartsy NY Yankee" and I don't look down my nose at Anderson, I live here and think it's great! The local entertainment venues from ECP to ACT, Anderson University to CLT and on into Greenville are awesome and THOUSANDS of people who appreciate talent attend them. Fortunately I haven't run across many arrogant negative people like you! To belittle someone's talent like you have Bailey's is insulting both to her & Anderson. Sounds like sour grapes to me. The 'examples' of fallen stars you mentioned are far surpassed by the vast numbers of sucesses. Values & integrity count in any profession. Maybe it's time for you to put away the Enquirer and pick up some positive thinking material instead. By the way I don't have a "hooked nose" either!
in response to ashleycooper
Oh yea. My bad.
in response to robmacgreg
I believe there's more than sour grapes. Sounds like you have some kind of fascination on seeing her not succeed. I understand that you feel like her singing sounds like a hog butt-scratching a stump but not everyone feels that way. Who knows she may turn out alright.
sounds like rob has a little crush on Bailey. Maybe rob's dream was to be on broadway and he sounded worse than a butt scratching hog. or maybe he is a butt scratching hog. because who else would spend their time on here trying to make a 20 year old talented girl look bad?
in response to marlenelee
Better get your facts straight. Bailey is too young to have gone four years through a real college. Hairdressers school is not a four year college.
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