Entrances and Exits: Thoughts from Laura Bell Bundy (the Renaissance Woman)

Laura Bell Bundy has been the envy of women (and a few men) everywhere for being able to embody pop culture heroine “Elle Woods” every night on stage in Legally Blonde The Musical. However, the current spotlight has given Ms. Bundy the chance to shine, and as she plays her final performances this weekend, she’s proven that “Elle” might not be the only modern day heroine on stage at the Palace Theatre. Laura took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for The 8th Avenue Observer about playing Elle, her various interests, and where she plans to go from here.

What will you miss most about playing Elle Woods?
I will miss being on stage with the cast, and finding new moments… and shaking my junk!

How much has the character of Elle changed throughout the run of the show?
Quite a bit.  I feel she has become more real as I have grown personally throughout this year.  She is quirkier because I am more fearless and willing to take more chances on stage.  I am also more connected to her now and I understand her more…  she has a bit more depth…  there is fine line between me and Elle.  We have grown up together.

Do you have a favorite memory from the run of the show or the rehearsal process?
There are too many to count, but I loved the creative process.   My collaboration with Christian Borle (Emmett) is something I am truly proud of.  We always spoke up about things that we thought were not working or holes in the material during the rehearsal process.  We worked very hard to make these characters and their relationship real and believable.  The creative team was very open to collaborating with us and it made a huge difference.   We still go out there every night and create, and come up with new things.

My favorite memories were being out of town with everyone in San Francisco .  It was a blast and we all became very close.  It was the binding agent for us as a cast.  We worked our butts off, but we learned a lot about each other.  We became a family.

Do you plan to “borrow” any costumes or memorabilia from the show when you leave?
Maybe a few things…  but no costumes.

Elle Woods is seen as being a role model for young women. Do you have any advice that you’d like to pass on to young women?
Be true to yourself.  And be fearless.  Life is a journey and it is ultimately about living in the now and finding what makes you happy, not what makes others happy.

What is your main goal with your Take it From the Top workshops?
To give students the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to have a career in the performing arts.  I also want to instill confidence in them… give them a safe place where they can use their imaginations and be creative.

We’ve heard you’re planning on working on a second album. Will it be a follow-up to Longing for a Place Already Gone and be “y’alternative” or are you planning on doing something completely different?
I’m not exactly sure of the direction of the album yet.  It will most certainly be country, and it will probably be a bit y’alternative– as that tends to be my preference.  But it will be on a major label this time, and have more radio potential.

You seem to have many diverse interests in the entertainment industry. Where would you like to be in ten years?
When you are living in the moment, you can’t think about ten years from now.  I’m having too much fun!
However, in ten years I would like to have produced at least one musical on Broadway, released another album (or two/three), gone on the road for a major tour, spent more time in Europe, made a big difference with Kreative Kids (like starting a few schools around the country) and have helped the Broadway community reach out to young people, have a few more films under my belt, as well as a Variety show, and some straight plays…  Producing is the direction I’m heading.  I love it and I want to do more of it…  and, maybe I’ll have a baby??… On a personal note, in ten years… I hope I stay true to myself and I grow along the way…  I hope that I learn to love in more more situations and that I am a peaceful person who is able to relax when necessary… and that I remember who I am.

To learn more about Laura Bell Bundy visit her official website.
To purchase Laura’s debut album click here:Longing For A Place Already Gone
To learn more about the Take it From the Top Workshops click here.
To learn more about the Kreative Kids Foundation click here.