That’s when the story took a sharp turn and the fantasy didn’t end. And that’s why, five years later, Hanks is in Walnut Creek, reprising her dream role for Diablo Theatre Company.

Call goes out

While the kids in kitten heels were tick-tick-ticking up and down Broadway in New York, dragging their moms and dads to the Palace Theatre where “Blonde” was playing, Bailey was a college student. Then she learned MTV was planning to turn the audition for “Blonde’s” next Elle into a bit of reality television, “Legally Blonde — The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.”

“I had to do this, I absolutely had to do this, I thought,” said Bailey, who turned 24 this week. “My dad took me to Nashville, which was the closest place for a regional audition.”

It was not all that different from all the other auditions she’d attended since she was 7, winning roles in such musicals as “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Music Man” and “Gypsy.” They had her sing a couple of songs, then invited her to a callback the next day, where she’d dance a little and perform material for the show. Then it was, “Thank you very much,” and back home to wait.

“After a week or two, they called me and said they wanted me to fly to New York for a callback,” she says. “They didn’t tell me what I’d do.”

In New York, she discovered she was one among 500 Elle Woods wannabes. She was expected to go through several rounds of auditions, facing off against some girls who had already auditioned for the Broadway production.

Reality ‘stress’

By the end of the first MTV episode, the 500 had been winnowed to 15 in several not-so-easy increments and, finally, after several more episodes, it was just Bailey and one other girl, who ended up cast in a supporting role in the show.

“The stress of a reality show is really tough, because you feel like you’re always with an audience and you have no time to be by yourself and focus. You were just shoved into a room with a bunch of girls and a camera in your face,” Bailey says. “The fact you had to adjust was sometimes really obnoxious.”

Auditions themselves, at least in the early going, were a piece of cake, she said. She’d been playing the role herself since junior high, so she had both the dialogue and the songs down cold, while some of the others weren’t that familiar with the material.

In the last audition, the two finalists had to do two full-scale scenes — costumes, makeup and blocking — for the cameras. They had to be 100 percent Elle Woods, the Southern California sorority girl who decides to win back her boyfriend by following him to Harvard Law School.

Of course (this being a musical comedy, and all), Elle pulls it off, winning a big case, bagging an even better boy, learning something about herself and becoming a better person.

If only auditions worked like that — but this time, for Bailey, they did and for a good part of a year, she played Elle on Broadway.

Born to be blonde

She’s played several other roles since then, but Elle has always been her favorite. This is a girl, after all, who reportedly has a pink Volkswagen Bug that she dubbed her “Legally Blonde Mobile.”

So she was pleased when Diablo Theatre Company artistic director Daren Carollo called and invited her to star in the Walnut Creek production.

“California? I’ve never been there before. Count me in,” she says. “I knew this was one of the first companies in California to do this, and that it had the pre-Broadway tryout in San Francisco. Yes, count me in.”

Carollo and “Blonde” director Gia Solari had seen a tape of Bailey’s performance, and “there was no doubt” about offering her the role. And they haven’t been disappointed.

“We thought there’d be some ego, but there isn’t,” says Carollo. “She’s smart, kind, incredibly funny, incredibly warm, and totally professional and goes above and beyond. She truly is one of the best we’ve had in the building.” Carollo says Bailey attends every moment of rehearsals, even when she’s scheduled to be off, and he was surprised to catch her at a recent performance of Stars 2000 (the Diablo Theatre Company youth group).

“I asked her what she was doing there, and she said she just wanted to support the group,” he says. “She even came up on stage and helped pull raffle tickets.”

Bailey says her biggest challenge is having to unlearn the choreography from the Broadway show, often quite different from DTC’s production.

But she’s been handling big-time pressure since she was 13 and was invited to sing the national anthem at an event then-President Bill Clinton was attending. The kid sang so well, Clinton asked to meet her, even though she was told before the event he wouldn’t. But she had her photo taken with the president and got to stand behind the podium with the presidential seal on it.

And, once the show opens, she’ll be able to spend more time exploring at least pieces of California.

Contact Pat Craig at pjcraig495@yahoo.com.

• Hanks was acting in local theater growing up in South Carolina, appearing in productions of “The Wizard of Oz” (as Dorothy), “Seussical the Musical,” “Gypsy,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Music Man,” “A Year With Frog and Toad,” “Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” among others.
• Hanks sang the national anthem for President Bill Clinton in 2000. The president was impressed enough to ask to meet her afterward.
• Hanks auditioned unsuccessfully for “American Idol” in 2007.
• “Legally Blonde” was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2007 but did not win in any category.
• Hanks played the lead on Broadway’s “Blonde” July 23-Oct. 19, 2008.
• Less than a month after finishing “Blonde,” Hanks began a stint as Sharpay Evans in a production of “High School Musical” at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, Nov. 5-Dec. 7, 2008.
• Hanks starred as a candidate for high school class president in “Vote!,” a musical comedy that was part of the New York City Fringe Festival in 2009.

“I’ve learned a lot from Elle in my own life,” says 24-year-old Hanks of the ditzy-but-not-dumb heroine, who becomes a star legal student at Harvard. “She’s funny, she’s strong, and whenever life knocks her down, she picks herself right back up.”

Still, Hanks is not above sharing a “blonde moment” of her own, when asked what she thinks of the silly jokes made at the expense of the fair-haired.

“One time, my little sister came home from elementary school and told us she was studying Mother Teresa,” says Hanks. “I asked, ‘Wait, was Mother Teresa a real person?’ I always thought she was like a fairy godmother character from make-believe.”

Legally Blonde, the Musical, February 10–March 3, at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, diablotheatre.org.

This article appears in the February 2012 issue of Diablo Magazine

Hanks starred as Elle on Broadway, filling the stiletto pumps of a heroine who represents all the stereotypes of the sorority girl. Elle is blonde, pretty, loves the color pink and is fanatical about fashion.

To the wicked delight of some of us non-sorority types – who envy Elle’s seemingly perky life — she gets something of a comeuppance early in the show. She gets dumped by her Harvard Law-bound boyfriend who proclaims that she’s not “serious” enough.

The show is about Elle proving to her boyfriend, all the rest of us, and ultimately herself that she is anything but a stereotype. She nails the LSATs, gains admission to Harvard Law and emerges as a star student.

Legally Blonde’s Elle belongs in that American tradition of golden-haired leading ladies – Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, Born Yesterday’s Billie Dawn — who defy the label of “dumb blonde” and demonstrate cores of brains, heart and moxie.

“Life is full of tough times, so just toss the hair, gloss the lips, and put on your best shoes and snap back up.” So says Elle, explaining her motto of “Bend and Snap” in response to life’s challenges. Elle also believes that a confident smile can help a girl face any situation with grace and style.

You can read Elle’s “Tips for Being Totally Fabulous” on the Diablo Theatre Company website. And, yes, she really does believe everyone can look pretty in pink and advises people to follow their instincts. “I’m not saying that your instincts will always be right, but more often than not, they are. Trust me. When it comes to taking risks, don’t go all crazy (avoid 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioners at all cost).”

During the run of Legally Blonde, the Musical through March 3, Hanks will do audience Q&As following the following shows: Friday, Feb. 10; Thursday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, March 1.

For tickets and showtimes, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org.

Martha Ross, former editor of Walnut Creek Patch, provides PR for the Lesher Center for the Arts and the Diablo Regional Arts Associaiton.

Hanks talked with BWW’s Linda Hodges about what it was like to be in the MTV spotlight, how she handles the challenges in her life what scrumptious thing she and Elle have in common – besides being blondes! That interview follows.

L: Hi, Bailey – thank you for doing this interview with BroadwayWorld San Francisco and welcome to the City by the Bay. It’s a thrill for us to have Legally Blonde, the Musical back on the west coast after it had its pre-Broadway tryouts here in San Francisco.

You had your pre-Broadway tryout before an MTV audience for their reality show, The Search for Elle Woods. It was in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers. What was that like?

B: Well, my pre-Broadway run was in front of a TV audience but, while filming it was easy to forget that cameras were around us 24/7 because I was so focused on winning the ultimate prize and making my dreams come true.

L: The show had amazing ratings. It just caught on like wildfire.

B: Once the show aired (which was about 4 months after we wrapped filming) it was crazy to see the large response from people and fans from all over…and once the show aired in the US it began airing in the UK and Australia…so it was AMAZING to hear from fans overseas!

L: Before you found out about MTV’s The Search for Elle Woods, what projects were you working on?

B: Before that I was helping backstage and doing costumes for the local production of Cinderella. (I wasn’t in it because I was off at Coastal Carolina College and missed auditions). So I helped dress Cinderella! Then I was accepted into Belmont University’s musical theatre department the week after my Legally Blonde auditions. Sooooo…it was a huge decision…college or a chance of a lifetime? Needless to say I made the right choice because I WON!

L: You certainly made your dreams come true. And now you’re playing sorority sister Elle in a completely new setting here on the west coast. Was it a simple shift or were there challenges?

B: Well, this process here at Diablo Theatre has TRULY pushed me, challenged me and made me (I think) a better Elle than I was before. I have to learn a totally new show, new people, new relationships, new sets and stage…and I get the creative freedom to bring Bailey to Elle.

L: Let’s talk a little bit about you and your character. Elle is from California and you’re from South Carolina. Other differences?

B: Besides the obvious…she is from California. And she comes from a wealthy Bev Hills family, and I do not. Ha ha!

L: Yeah, not too many people fit that profile. I mean just the size of her swimming pool (in the movie version) seemed bigger than most houses! Similarities?

B: We are blonde, we’re both belles, we can be naive and believe in others and in ourselves. We are optimistic and loving. I learn from her every day while in the process of rehearsals. She is such an awesome, strong woman!

L: What’s your favorite thing about Elle?

B: My favorite thing about Elle is her compassion for others, and her determination. When she gets knocked down, she finds a new way to get up and go! And try it again.

L: I love how much Elle grows. She’s confident in her role as Sorority president but turns to mush when her boyfriend dumps her. Then, as we know, Elle eventually comes into her own. Are we all like that where men are concerned? (Wouldn’t it be great if we could just skip that stage!) Have you ever been a fool for love?

B: HA! I think it would be a lie if ANYONE said they have never been a fool for love. Of course I have! Probably one too many times for the WRONG person. But, just like Elle I have grown and found my Emmett! Someone who loves me for ME, and believes in me and what I want for my life.

L: Well, that blows my question about what it’s like to date while on the road! Is it serious with your “Emmett?”

B: I am in a very committed relationship Jason. He’s a wonderful guy. He’s not in the business; he’s actually in public relations. Being away from him during this process has been very hard but he supports me and loves me. He will be here for my opening night at the Lesher!

L: He sounds scrumptious! And while you’re here at the Lesher Theatre you’re going to be celebrating a birthday. First, happy early birthday! And second, how do you plan on celebrating? Will your parents be able to come out?

B: My 24th birthday is Feb 6th…just 4 days before opening night. So for my b-day I’ll be in tech rehearsals from 11am to 11pm, ha ha ! That’s the price you pay. But Jason will be here on the 9th and that will be an awesome gift. My parents won’t be able to make it but they bought me NEW pink and dark grey Nikes!

L: Okay – that’s very “Elle.” Your parents sound great. Do they help you stay grounded?

B: Staying grounded hasn’t been too hard for me. I know I am a normal person…and my parents have always kept me humble and if ever I begin to get a big head…they knock me down a few notches. I know that the Lord has blessed me with so much and I give all the thanks to him.

L: It sounds like your faith helps keep you grounded.

B: I am Christian and that is something I am not ashamed to say. I have gone through quite the journey, ups and downs and I thank the Lord for being there for me every minute and helping pick me back up during my lows.

L: Well, you’re definitely on a high right now. You’re living your dream of being an actress, singer and dancer – a triple-threat to be sure!. Is it everything you thought it would be? Any surprises?

B: Being a triple threat is all that it’s cracked up to be…hard! No surprises came my way – I’ve been doing this since I was 6…so I was fully prepared.

L: What is your favorite part of the show?

B: I love every part of this show…but right now my fave part is “Bend and Snap” and “Legally Blonde.” I never realized until now how beautiful “Legally Blonde” the song is. WOW!

L: Those are my two favorites as well. Why do you think Legally Blonde, the Musical is such a big hit?

B: Legally Blonde was successful because not only is it such a wonderful movie, but the show is SO easy to love. It’s uplifting and encouraging and who doesn’t love a strong, beautiful female heroine!

L: Yes, beautiful – and definitely not a mean girl. But you got to play Sharpay in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of High School Musical – and she is definitely a mean girl. Was it fun to cut loose and play Sharpay?

B: It was fun to play Sharpay, but I found myself feeling so bad for being SO BAD! Ha ha!

L: So, from High School to Law School. Amanda Broom wrote the book Legally Blonde after attending Stanford Law. Would you ever consider going to Law School?

B: I considered Law school waaay back in the day…because my father always told me I could argue with a brick wall!

L: That’s funny! I think playing Elle has got to be more fun than writing legal briefs but wouldn’t it be great to do both! What words of advice would you give to young people who want to sing on Broadway?

B: I always encourage my younger fans or students I teach that you need to stay involved in musical theatre, audition for everything, never give up if you don’t make it, and stay involved in classes, workshops, and master classes.

L: It must be great for them to have you as their teacher. Have you gotten to meet/work with any of your own idols?

B: Well, I LOVE Reese Witherspoon. She is the ultimate one…so when that day comes…speechless! But I have gotten to work for Tyler Perry, on Meet The Browns. I’m not only a HUGE Tyler Perry fan, but I love Meet The Browns. Getting to act on that show was a dream come true!

L: Do you remember the feeling you had when you signed your first autograph? Other than for family members and friends?

B: The first time I went out the stage door after my opening night for Legally Blonde, I was amazed at how many people were waiting to get MY autograph. CRAZY! The line nearly wrapped around the block.

L: I don’t have a crystal ball but I foresee lots of autograph signing in your future – starting here in the bay area on opening night. Bailey, we’re very excited to welcome you to the west coast.

And lastly, what’s next for you?

B: After this production I’ll be will heading back home to Nashville to being in my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding then I will be the maid of honor in my older sister’s wedding…then in June I’m off to Birmingham, AL to do Legally Blonde all over again.

Thanks so much, Bailey. Best of luck to you in this show and in all your future endeavors.

Legally Blonde, the Musical!

February 10 – March 3

Director Gia Solari

Photo courtesy of www.benkrantz.com