An All LGBTQ+ Version of ‘Legally Blonde’ Is Coming to NewFest

Last year we got an all-trans live-read of Brokeback Mountain, and this year, NewFest and #MakeItGay are bringing us an all-LGBTQ+ Legally Blonde.

The extra-gay reading of Legally Blonde will be a part of NewFest's NewFest Pride, a virtual summer film series that runs from June 4-7 as a part of Pride Month. The film series features six feature films, a short film program, and LGBTQ+ focused panels and special events.

With Legally Blonde celebrating its 20th anniversary, it only made sense that NewFest would include a virtual live-read of the comedy classic as a part of their programming. Featuring an all-LGBTQ+ cast, proceeds from the live read will go to the NewFest Future Fund, which benefits the organization and its programs for LGBTQ+ youth, filmmaker resources, and screening programs.

The live read will be available to stream for free with a suggested donation on NewFest's Facebook and YouTube. No cast has been announced, but may I propose Aubrey Plaza as Vivian Kensington (played by Selma Blair in the original), and maybe Valentina as Elle Woods? Maybe we can even get Victor Garber and Holland Taylor back to play Professors Callahan and Stromwell!

Last year's Brokeback Mountain live-read starred Leo Sheng (The L Word: Generation Q) as Ennis, Brian Michael Smith (9-1-1: Lone Star) as Jack, Jen Richards (Clarice) as Alma, and Alexandra Grey (MacGyver) as Lurleen. Disclosure director Sam Feder served as the narrator, and others in the cast included Mal Blum, Mars Dixon, Theo Germaine, Jordan Gonzalez, Drew Gregory, Vico Ortiz, and Jes Tom.

The #MakeItGay live read series was thought up by writer and podcaster Gaby Dunn (Bad With Money) during quarantine, as a way to reimagine classic films with typically white, cis, and male casts with various queer people instead. They have also produced an all-queer, all-Black The Breakfast Club, a queer, female-led Ocean's Eleven, and an even gayer reading of Clue.

The films screening at NewFest Pride include Ma Belle, My Beauty, Carlos Lopez Estrada's spoken word poetry film Summertime, Todd Stephen's comedy Swan Song, the documentary Rebel Dykes, Mari Walker's See You Then, and Daniel Sanchez Lopez's Boy Meets Boy.

Four-day passes for the entire series and individual tickets are now available for purchase at NewFest's website.

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