Flashdance – The Musical
Book & Lyrics by Robert Cary & Robbie Roth
Music by Robbie Roth
Based on the file
Directed & Choreography by Sergio Trujillo
Produced by Broadway in Chicago
At the Palace Theatre, Chicago Theatre District
Stunning dance fuels stage tour of the 1983 hit cult film
Done with loads of pizzazz and loads of heart, Sergio Trujillo’s smart and sift dance musical faithfully depicts the hit film. Filled with several nicely stage and beautifully light dance numbers including “Flashdance-What a Feeling. ” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” and “I Love Rock & Roll,” this Equity national tour of Flashdance – The Musical contains enough fabulous dances to be worth seeing.
Despite the leading lady, Jillian Mueller’s lack of vocal range, she sure makes up for that with her charming presence and her outstanding dance skills. We love her and we cheer for her to get out of the Pittsburgh steel mills in pursuit of her dream to become a professional modern dance. Her encounter with the son of the mill opener, Nick Hurley (Matthew Hydzik) leads to a classic boy meets girl, girls rejects boy then they fall in love scenario that works nicely as the dream fable unfolds. Hydzik has enough charm to be winning despite his Broadway pop-rock singing style that I find irritation yet that seems to work with Roth and Carry’s pop score.
By far the best moments in Flashdance -the Musical are in the many super-showstoppers dance numbers. The ensemble and the sheer energy to the toe-tapping score ignites the audience, especially the followers of the cult hit film from 1983. The audience cheered throughout. Lovers of the film will flock to the Palace Theatre to take in this dazzling dance show. I was underwhelmed by the show yet I can understand its appeal to lovers of pop rock modern dance. the production values here are first class and the dancing was precise and smart. So for a light weight summer treat, Flashdance – the Musical offers engaging moments.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed; August 6.2013
For more info checkout the Flashdance – The Musical page at theatreinchicago.com
For tickets and performance schedule see Broadway in Chicago.com, running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission, through August 18, 2013