I would like to think that when I've seen a shitty show I say so. That's not going to be a problem here! What an incredible production. From start to finish, they had us in the palms of their tap dancing hands. I had the good fortune of having selected a third row seat and they gave me the perfect vantage point from which to fully enjoy the show.
Once again, I had never seen this one before, so while the songs were all very familiar, the plot and dialogue were fresh. And what a witty script! Time and again, I joined my fellow theater goers in rounds of spontaneous laughter. The direction was dynamic. The theater is relatively small and every production is by design in the round. As such, you feel very much a part of the action. The sets also take on a different dynamic, they must be small and mobile, and even with the use of hydraulics to raise and lower a central platform they can't be too complicated. Within these specs, they were absolutely perfect. Likewise the costumes. The promotional photos show some of the female actors in costumes that were not used in the final production. The actual costume choices were more feminine and actually I would say elegant. The choreography was spot on, and the actors dancing chops were up to the challenge and then some. Most especially, the lead, Corbin Bleu, was mesmerizingly talented in his physicality and flare all delivered as easily as you or I would cross a street. Coupled with Soara-Joye Ross' Reno Sweeney, the show belonged to the two of them. The standard in dance that Corbin set was matched in the arena of vocals by Soara-Joy. The supporting cast was often the source of humor in a musical that is as much about high jinx and storyline. Every one of them had their moment and shone brilliantly in the limelight. Though clearly the leader of this pack was Stephen Derosa in the role of Moonface Martin. I know I just gave rave reviews to Keegan's production of "As You Like It", so I can't really say that I don't remember the last time I had so much fun at a musical--BUT, if possible, this one was even more enjoyable. It's also been a long time since I was part of an audience that was as intune to the show as this one was. Playing right up until Christmas Eve, go--you'll only regret it, if you don't.
Once again, I had never seen this one before, so while the songs were all very familiar, the plot and dialogue were fresh. And what a witty script! Time and again, I joined my fellow theater goers in rounds of spontaneous laughter. The direction was dynamic. The theater is relatively small and every production is by design in the round. As such, you feel very much a part of the action. The sets also take on a different dynamic, they must be small and mobile, and even with the use of hydraulics to raise and lower a central platform they can't be too complicated. Within these specs, they were absolutely perfect. Likewise the costumes. The promotional photos show some of the female actors in costumes that were not used in the final production. The actual costume choices were more feminine and actually I would say elegant. The choreography was spot on, and the actors dancing chops were up to the challenge and then some. Most especially, the lead, Corbin Bleu, was mesmerizingly talented in his physicality and flare all delivered as easily as you or I would cross a street. Coupled with Soara-Joye Ross' Reno Sweeney, the show belonged to the two of them. The standard in dance that Corbin set was matched in the arena of vocals by Soara-Joy. The supporting cast was often the source of humor in a musical that is as much about high jinx and storyline. Every one of them had their moment and shone brilliantly in the limelight. Though clearly the leader of this pack was Stephen Derosa in the role of Moonface Martin. I know I just gave rave reviews to Keegan's production of "As You Like It", so I can't really say that I don't remember the last time I had so much fun at a musical--BUT, if possible, this one was even more enjoyable. It's also been a long time since I was part of an audience that was as intune to the show as this one was. Playing right up until Christmas Eve, go--you'll only regret it, if you don't.
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