Saturday Night Fever – The Musical
Based on the film, story by Nik Cohn.
Adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood with Bill Oaks.
North American version by Sean Cercone & David Abbinanti.
Featuring songs by The Bee Gees.
Directed & Choreographed nu Dan Knechtges.
Music Direction by Roberta Duchak.
At Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook.
New version of cult-hit film doesn’t sizzle on stage.
I was underwhelmed by the new version of the musical, based on the film, Saturday Night Fever. The work seemed outdated with too much disco music that suffered from not being sung by The Bee Gees. By far the best part of this production came from Adrien Aguilar as Brooklyn teen Tony Manero, the disco dancing charmer. Aguilar plays Tony as a semi-ignorant 19 year old whose charm and style makes him lovable. Aguilar is a terrific dancer the strong acting chops and a fair voice. He is the best part of this flat production.
Saturday Night Fever – The Musical has mediocre disco dancing that was both uninspiring a a tad mechanical. Usually Drury Lance Theatre’s musicals contain more creative and spirited choreography with stronger dancers. I also had a problem with the female singers who seemed flat or so unlike The Bee Gees that it hurt the production. Those of us who require Bee Gee singing in our Saturday Night Fever production were disappointed. Those who aren’t familiar with The Bee Gees still found the lady’s vocals weak.
But the opening night crowd seemed hungry for their fill of disco dancing and enthusiastically cheered for numbers like “How Deep is Your Love,” “If I Can’t Have You, ” “What Kind of Fool,” “Night Fever”, “Stayin’ Alive”, and “Jive Talkin’ ‘ among others. Disco lovers will enjoy this ode to that style others found the production dated and uninspiring.
Saturday Night Fever – The Musical is cute escapism by not as sharp and compelling as past Drury Lane shows like Crazy For You and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. so if you need a disco fix, try this show.
Somewhat Recommended.
Tom Williams.
At Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, call 630-530-0111, www.drurylane.com, tickets $45 – $60, Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, Thursdays at 1:30 & 8 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 pm, Sundays at 2 & 6 pm, running time is 2hours, 15 minutes with intermission.