Legally Blonde
Natalie Joy Johnson

Legally Blonde started life as the hit movie with Reese Witherspoon, and has made the successful transition to a fabulous Broadway musical that's been nominated for 7 Tony Awards. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready had the chance to meet up with Natalie Joy Johnson, who plays the role of Paulette in the touring production (after playing the lesbian role of Enid on Broadway). "Who doesn't love the movie, and who doesn't love those dogs?" she exclaims, except that Natalie is allergic, and has to handle the bulldog in the show. She also talks about the travails of traveling, especially for someone like Natalie who takes two hours to pack. Legally Blonde: The Musical runs through Sun 11/23 and Broadway Buzz pre-show presentations take place 30 minutes before each show, and a post-show talk back with the actors is held on Thursdays. The VIP "Elle's Lounge" features the "pink carpet treatment" with hors d'oeuvres, drinks and goodies. Check the site for details and tix. www.PlayhouseSquare.org

Robert Dubac
The Male Intellect: The 2nd Coming!

Robert Dubac has figured out exactly what women want. He did this in his first show The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron, and now he's moving on to figure out the rest of the world in his hilarious follow-up, The Male Intellect: The 2nd Coming!, which is playing a limited run at the 14th Street Theatre at Playhouse Square.

One of his bright ideas is to eliminate the two-party system and combine them into one huge after-hours party called the Republocrats. Not to set the bar too high, but for The 2nd Coming!, Dubac promises that theatre-goers will actually learn the secret to life, including the five things men want: food, sex, money, power, happiness (in that order). He can hear his own voice of reason... because it calls him on his cell phone. Tickets: www.PlayhouseSquare.com

The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes
Visit Cleveland in April

Santa Claus in April is one thing. But when four members of the word-famous Radio City Rockettes marched on stage at the Idea Center with the big man for the announcement of Playhouse Square's Broadway Series, you could hear the jaws of the usually-cynical Cleveland press corps hit the floor. When it turned out that two of the four were from Ohio, Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready had to act. Flipping the "record" switch on his trusty videocam, he captured this brief interview with the high-stepping legends on the street under the PHS marquee, as they talked about the move from small town to big city and back home to Ohio, plus their upcoming Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Playhouse Square on December 4-28, 2008. Keep your eyes open, Cleveland, you never know what you'll see next. http://www.PlayhouseSquare.com

Gina Vernaci
Playhouse Square Broadway Series

You don't have to leave Cleveland to see the best shows in the nation. Playhouse Square's Gina Vernaci is actually one of only 7 people outside of New York who sits on the Broadway League's executive committee. So when it comes to the top Broadway productions, she is not only one of the top decision makers (she gets to vote for the Tony Awards), she is first in line for the hottest touring productions. Playhouse Square's 08/09 Broadway Series boasts some of the best, like Spring Awakening, an edgy rock musical that just won 8 Tonys and a Grammy for it's searing soundtrack. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready talks with Gina outside the theatres about the stellar line-up and her insight and personal touch, such as how she was sitting next to the Disney's president when he decided to cast the star of the acclaimed Mary Poppins, now coming to Cleveland. Or how she tracked (stalked?) Mandy Patinkin & Patti Lupone around the country trying to schedule a run in Cleveland. Plus she give her insight on the revival of A Chorus Line, the new musical version of Legally Blonde, the intense drama Frost/Nixon and a PHS production of I Love You Because, with Cleveland's own Victoria Bussert directing. When Santa and The Rockettes surprised everyone and suddenly appeared to promote their Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the only one not surprised was Vernaci. She's literally seen it all. And so can you, since tickets are available starting today at 216-830-7221 or http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org/broadway

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