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Non-stop pink and an explosion of other colors, pop music with a catchy beat, energetic dance and some standout performances from minor players and pooches propel Legally Blonde at the Bushnell into an entertaining bombshell that seems anything but dumb.

Becky Gulsvig, who understudied the role on Broadway, stars as Elle Woods, a Delta Nu Sorority blonde fashion major who gets dumped by boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Jeff McLean) heading to an Ivy League law school. Elle decides to become the “serious” type of girl he wants and trades in parties and shopping for law books, pursuing him to Harvard. There, she runs into a few obstacles, like Warner’s new girlfriend Vivienne (Megan Lewis); a professor (Ken Land) who hits on her; and the fact that law school involves some studying. Another professor Emmett (D.B. Bonds) helps her discover that she has a flair for the law which she demonstrates when she helps beautician Paulette (Natalie Joy Johnson) reclaim her dog from a former boyfriend and later, defends fitness queen Brooke Wyndham (Coleen Sexton) against a murder charge.

The leads are able, but the show's standout performances come from some of the more minor players. Ven Daniel, as UPS delivery man Kyle, brings down the house every time he struts in, strikes some Chippendale-like poses and claims, “I have a package.” Johnson shines as the shy beautician trying to master the “bend-and-snap” to attract Kyle’s attention. Their Irish dance fulfilling her fantasy is a hoot as is Alex Ellis as Chutney, Brooke’s stepdaughter, whose testimony Elle must discredit.

And then, there are the dogs. Elle’s Chihuahua Bruiser (Frankie) and Paulette’s bulldog Rufus (China). They've been trained by Connecticut’s own William Berloni and steal the show any time they are on stage.

Almost the entire plot is told through Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s songs and lyrics with a non-stop pop beat energized by pompom waving, rope jumping high energy athletic choreography from Jerry Mitchell, who also directs. The book, by Heather Hack has adapted the movie, which itself was based on a novel by Amanda Brown. Hack's finest contribution is a quirky dramaturgical one: Elle’s sorority sisters appear in her imagination as a “Greek chorus.”

David Rockwell's modular scenic design has been lit by designer Paul Miller, whose work will need some adjustments as this touring production moves on. Glare off a beauty shop mirror hinders theatergoers’ ability to watch some scenes. Additionally, the sound design (from ACME Sound Partners) makes it difficult to discern some dialogue and lyrics. During a pivotal trial scene crucial testimony could not be heard at all over the music conducted by Jan Rosenberg.

Gregg Barnes’ costumes are an explosion of color (and a lot of Elle’s signature pink) in youthful designs. Overall, it’s a production focused on appealing to the teen fans who made the movie a box office smash. Like Elle, that’s not so dumb after all.

---- Lauren Yarger

Legally Blonde the Musical plays at The Bushnell (166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT) through Dec. 14. Performance times are Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $25-$75 and can be purchased by calling 860-087-5900 or by visiting www.bushnell.org.