Act One

The curtain rises on Delta Nu Sorority House at University California, Los Angeles. Here, we find the Delta Nu sisters preparing for the arrival of their sorority president, Elle Woods. The house is abuzz with rumors that Elle's long-time boyfriend, Warner Huntington, plans to propose at dinner. When Elle doesn't appear, the girls frantically rush to the Old Valley Mall, where we finally meet Elle. She has found the perfect dress for Warner's proposal and she celebrates with her sisters ("Omigod You Guys").

As evening falls, we find Elle and Warner enjoying a romantic dinner by candlelight. While Elle anxiously awaits the proposal, Warner explains that it's time to get serious and take the next step... by breaking up ("Serious"). He doesn't believe she is serious enough about her future. Elle, upset and embarrassed, is shocked by this revelation and storms out.

It has now been twelve days, and Elle is still holed up in her bedroom, eating Milky Ways ("Daughter of Delta Nu"). After an argument breaks out between the girls, Elle emerges to stop the madness and comes across the latest issue of Town & Country, wherein, to her surprise, she sees a wedding picture of Warner's brother, Peyton Huntington, and his new wife, Muffy Vanderbilt. It is then that she realizes that Warner is looking for someone like Muffy – a girl who is serious, lawyerly and wears black when nobody's dead.

Elle devises a plan to join Warner in Cambridge by applying to Harvard Law School, much to the dismay and skepticism of her parents ("What You Want"). With a qualifying LSAT score of 175, Elle bursts into the Harvard admission offices to deliver her own "personal essay" – a full marching band, a squad of cheerleaders and the declaration that she is doing this for love. Swayed by her belief in love, the admission officers accept Elle's application and enroll her into Harvard Law School.

We move to halls of Harvard, where Emmett Forrest, an alum and teaching assistant, is addressing a group of first-year law students. Here, we meet an assortment of characters that enjoy discussing their success and intelligence ("Harvard Variations"). When Elle arrives, her classmates are not thrilled and disapprove of her perky behavior.

At Criminal Law 101 with Professor Callahan, Elle spots Warner and surprises him. Before they can catch up, Professor Callahan begins class by insisting that law school is a waste unless you are willing to become a ruthless shark with a taste for blood in the water ("Blood in the Water"). When Elle finds herself unprepared, Callahan removes her from class and insists that she return only when she is ready to learn.

Stunned, Elle leaves the classroom and is chased down by Emmet, who tries his best to console her. Now in the hallway, Elle and Vivienne Kensington, Warner's new girlfriend, come face to face. Vivienne has no trouble making her feelings known and proceeds to mark her territory with Warner. Elle, frustrated and inconsolable, is visited by a Greek Chorus, the girls of Delta Nu, who will help Elle win Warner back and encourage her to just stay positive ("Positive").

Elle is convinced that her blonde hair is the source of her problems and has retreated to the Hair Affair salon, where she plans to go brunette. We meet Paulette, a hairdresser, who sees a bright future for Elle and insists that all she needs is some relaxing Irish music. Paulette laments about her own dreams to fall in love one day in Ireland ("Ireland"). Elle overhears Vivienne and her friend chatting about an upcoming party after they enter the salon. A curious Elle chimes in, and Vivienne invites her along, telling her it's a costume party. Elle thanks Paulette for the encouragement and heads off to fight for her man ("Ireland – Reprise").

When Elle arrives at the party, dressed as a Playboy bunny, she comes to realize that the joke is on her; no one else is wearing a costume. Elle, although humiliated, refuses to be defeated and reminisces with Warner about their past relationship ("Serious – Reprise"). Vivienne interrupts their conversation with insults and jabs. Elle has no choice but to leave the party.

On her way home, Elle runs into Emmett on a bench, who proceeds to tell her about his own personal challenges and how that helped him get to where he is. Emmett encourages Elle to use that chip on her shoulder as motivation to become a serious student and prove Warner, Vivienne and Callahan wrong ("Chip on My Shoulder"). With guidance from Emmett, Elle realizes that it is time to focus on changing her priorities and sets out to do her best. After weeks and weeks of studying, Elle wins a case against Warner in debate class. Professor Callahan is pleasantly surprised and asks her to submit a résumé for his prestigious internship.

We now find Elle and Paulette, with Emmett at their side, at a dumpy trailer. They have arrived to confront Paulette's ex-boyfriend, Dewey, and retrieve her beloved dog. Elle, using her newly found legal knowledge, prevails and gets Paulette her Rufus back ("Run Rufus Run! / Elle Reflects"). It is then announced that Callahan will be representing exercise queen, Brooke Wyndham, in a big murder trial and needs immediate help; Emmett will be serving as co-counsel, and four students from the class will be selected as interns.

When the list is posted, we see Elle watch Warner and Vivienne embrace – they have made the cut as two of Callahan's interns. Warner goes to one knee and proposes; Vivienne accepts. Elle is heartbroken and ready to accept defeat, but Emmett approaches Elle with the list... and she has made it! Feeling elated and victorious, Elle realizes that this moment is so much better than any moment she had ever shared with Warner. Elle is finally moving on ("So Much Better").

Act Two

We open on a law firm's conference room. Callahan, Emmett and the four interns are examining a workout video made by their defendant, Brooke Wyndham ("Whipped into Shape"), as Callahan explains the case and prepares his counsel for a jailhouse visit. At the jail, it is revealed that Brooke is refusing to provide an alibi and will not accept a plea bargain, despite the overwhelming amount of evidence against her. Brooke, however, insists that she is innocent. Upon her counsel's departure, Elle seizes the opportunity to bond with Brooke, who happens to be a Delta Nu sister ("Delta Nu Nu Nu"). With a trust formed between the ladies, Brooke comes clean with her alibi – she was having liposuction on the day of her husband's murder. Elle is sworn to secrecy and promises not to share this news with anyone.

When Emmett tries to coax Elle into sharing this secret with the rest of the team, Elle stands her ground and refuses to jeopardize Brooke's trust. Elle can now see that Emmett is concerned about how Callahan will react and is determined to take his mind off things. She drags him to the department store.

At the department store, Elle convinces Emmett that it's time for a wardrobe change if he really wants to impress Callahan. While Emmett tries to understand why he is so drawn to Elle, the two begin their shopping spree ("Take It Like a Man"). The next day, Elle is enjoying a manicure at the Hair Affair when Kyle, the new UPS delivery guy, enters. Paulette is floored by Kyle's good looks but is convinced that she has nothing left to offer a man like that. Soon after, however, she discovers that she has the most perfect "Bend and Snap." The Greek Chorus appears and encourages her to hone her skills and use this killer move on Kyle ("Bend and Snap"). When Kyle comes back to retrieve his stylus, Paulette executes the bend but miscalculates the snap... and breaks Kyle's nose.

At trial, we meet an exotic pool boy, Nikos, who claims he witnessed the crime. Nikos testifies that he and Brooke were lovers and that she is, in fact, responsible for the murder. Elle is not convinced and consults with her fellow lawyers, who must determine if Nikos is actually gay or, instead, just European ("Gay or European?") Emmett approaches the stand and attempts to break Nikos down. His strategy works, and it is revealed that the young man is gay!

That evening, Callahan is hosting a celebration for his defense team, and the group toasts to a successful day. Callahan asks Elle to stay to speak with him. As Warner and Vivienne secretly watch on, Callahan forces himself upon Elle and kisses her. When she rejects his advances, Callahan lets her go. A stunned Elle retreats to her room and tells Emmett that she will be heading back to California; a confused and concerned Emmett begs her to stay ("Legally Blonde").

At the Hair Affair, Kyle has recovered from his trip to the hospital and is returning to thank Paulette for her help. Elle arrives and stuns Paulette by telling her that she is heading back to California. As she reveals why, Vivienne appears. Vivienne now sees the strong, smart woman within Elle – it's her time to shine ("Legally Blonde – Reprise"). Elle, who has found a new determination and drive, marches towards the courthouse with a parade of supporters, friends and family, including Kyle and Paulette, who have come to find an Irish fondness for each other.

Back at the trial, Elle storms in. Brooke is thrilled to see her Delta Nu sister and fires Callahan. Now, with Emmett's help, Elle goes forward with defending her new client. With an extensive knowledge of hair, Elle challenges the alibi of the victim's daughter, who insists she was out, getting a perm. Elle demands that they travel to the scene of the crime ("Scene of the Crime"), and the judge allows it. At the Wyndham Mansion, Elle sets out to disprove the alibi, finally breaking Chutney down. She proclaims that she didn't mean to shoot her father – she thought it was Brooke coming through the door.

The crowd cheers and Elle is elated. Elle has solved the case and set Brooke Wyndham free! Warner, who has been dumped by Vivienne, pleads to Elle to take him back. Elle sits down and explains to Warner that she is now a new girl and she realizes that she is more than just a hair color. We transition to graduation day, where we find Elle and the other classmates celebrating. Paulette and Kyle are married and have two kids, Enid practices family law, Vivienne is training for the peace corps, Warner is modeling and Elle has finally found her true love: Emmett Forrest ("Find My Way / Finale").