"Break a leg" is theater-speak for good luck, but what does it mean when you actually break a toe? Ask Becky Gulsvig, the actress starring as Elle Woods in the touring cast of "Legally Blonde the Musical," which opens today for a week-long run at the Fox Theatre.
Gulsvig slipped and broke her toe backstage on the way to her dressing room at a January show in Washington. The injury forced her to sit out for six weeks. "It aches sometimes, but I'm back in my heels now," Gulsvig said.
It was a fitting recovery for the actress who plays a determined blonde who ultimately proves that beauty is not inversely proportional to brains by taking her passion for shopping and all things pink all the way to Harvard Law School.
Gulsvig shared the secrets of playing Elle — both in style and substance.
Q: What characteristics, if any, do you share with Elle Woods?
A: I definitely can relate to her spirit and her drive. She realizes she has to stay true to herself, she never gives up and she tries to see the best in people. As an actor you have to do exactly that, otherwise you lose yourself. My whole career has been driven by that sort of spirit.
Q: What is your favorite outfit in the show?
A: The dress that I bow in is the most fabulous. It's all sparkly beads. It literally just shines when I walk out. That's every little 6-year-old girl's dream.
Q: Do you totally hate pink? [Elle's signature color]
A: It's an overdose. I don't mind it, but it's just a lot of pink — more pink than I've ever seen in my life.
Q: What is it about Elle that resonates with audiences?
A: Elle is such a good role model and she is such an inspiration and she is so much fun. She isn't someone who comes in and preaches to you in 2 1/2 hours of a show. You watch her learn, you watch her journey and you cheer for her.
Q: Elle gets dumped by her boyfriend for someone more serious. What are your thoughts on style and substance?
A: I'm not the most stylish individual personally so I've had to learn to make more of an effort in the style department. I definitely don't think you should underestimate someone just because they dress cute. That was something maybe I had to learn. I had the un-Elle view beforehand. I had to learn they can go hand in hand.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about playing Elle?
A: On the road, the sheer act of getting through it eight times a week and traveling and making sure you are giving a consistent performance and maintaining your health and sanity. It is a physically demanding part ... but it's very fun, luckily, otherwise it would be even harder. I just try to keep a balance to keep myself going, listening to my body. If it is pooped, then I don't go out. I'm a TV watcher, and reader and a lay-low kind of person, so it works out.
Q: How much of a diva is Frankie [the dog who plays Bruiser]?
A: He's not a diva. He's hilarious. He's a Chihuahua and he's a rescue dog. All the dogs in our show are rescue dogs. The trainer, Bill Berloni, trained the original Sandy in the Broadway production of "Annie" and he trains all the dogs on Broadway. Frankie keeps us on our toes. We've had a few stagehands that are tall or larger and if he senses that person as a threat, the first day you have to get him adjusted or he'll be growling backstage.
Q: What do you hope Atlanta audiences take away from your performance?
A: I hope they just really have a good time. It's a really fun show. It's a great family show. You can bring any family member — male or female, young or old. I just hope everyone gets a little inspiration out of it.
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