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Movin’ Out
Conceived, choreographed and directed by
Twyla Tharp
Based on the songs of Billy Joel
At the Auditorium Theatre
50 East Congress
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1400, tickets $18 - $80
Thursday, June 29 at 2 & 7:30 PM
Friday, June 30 at 8 PM
Saturday, July 1 at 2 & 8 PM
Sunday, July 2 at 2 & 7:30 PM
Tuesday, July 4 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, July 5 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, July 6 at 7:30 PM
Friday, July 7 at 8 PM
Saturday, July 8 at 2 & 8 PM
Sunday, July 9 at 2 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through July 9, 2006
Improved, polished Movin’ Out energizes The Auditorium stage
When I first saw Movin’ Out in 2002 on its way to Broadway, the concept startled me and left me with mixed feeling. This 2006 improved, tighter and thoroughly pleasing production made me a believer. The infectious Billy Joel tunes molded the story of five teens from the 1960’s. With terrific numbers such as “For The Longest Time,” “Uptown Girl,” “She’s Got A Way” and “New York State of Mind” among the 26 songs, Movin’ Out is a feast for Billy Joel fans as well as for dance show enthusiasts.
Brenda and Eddie are finished while James and Judy are ready for marriage leaving Tony pines for the changed Brenda. The Viet Nam war takes the boys and James doesn’t came back and Tony and Eddie are shaken. Drugs and alcohol are destroying Eddie and Judy helps him find the way. Brenda and Tony rediscover the love need to heal their wounds.
The story is told through the lyrics of Billy Joel’s song book and the energetic choreography of Twyla Tharp. Full of fast paced leaps, jetes and lifts, we see the macho of the boys and the sleek sensuality of the girls. The clever movements and in this modern jukebox ballet marvel the senses. Filled with the roaring and complex Joel numbers and the stellar lighting, the amplified emotions of young love and the horrors of war and the self-loathing of drug abuse are vividly played out until love ultimately helps heal the wounds of growing up.
Movin’ Out contains so much energy, so many familiar rocking Billy Joel tunes (done with terrific singing by Darren Holden & Matthew Friedman alternating) and a terrific sounding band featuring horns and reeds to compliment the piano and guitars and percussion. Joel’s tunes were a robust blending pop rock, R & B with hints of jazz.
This show is so demanding that there are two alternating lead singers and two teams of lead dancers. Elizabeth Parkinson, as Brenda and Keith Roberts, as Tony revive their original roles while Rasta Thomas was splendid as the high-kicking, manic Eddie.
Movin’ Out isn’t a musical, it’s a jukebox danscial or a 21st Century ballet. Whatever you might call it, Movin’ Out is a breathtakingly exhilarating show with toe-tapping tunes and slick dynamic dancing. This show is fun.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006
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