"Dirty Dancing" was a low-budget, unexpected movie hit in 1987, thanks to the chemistry of leads Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the contributions of choreographer Kenny Ortega and director Emile Ardolino, and a soundtrack whose main song, "I've Had the Time of My Life," won an Oscar. A TV series was followed by a stage version which premiered in London three years ago and is now touring the USA and elsewhere. A story that was once small and intense has been puffed up over the years and made a lot more slick and glitzy, more Broadway-like, if you will. There are now more than fifty songs in the show, only a few of which are sung live (by the operatic Ben Mingay). All the other songs are delivered via a soundtrack and feature such diverse voices as Pete Seeger, Marvin Gaye and The Drifters.
No matter, the creative team behind the musical -- notably director James Powell, set designer Stephen Brimson Lewis and choreographer Kate Champion -- make it work. Ditto the 39-person cast, most of whom are dancers. In the Swayze/Grey roles are Josef Brown and Amanda Leigh Cobb, who cross class lines in the Catskill resort of Kellermans (he's staff, she's clientele) and heat up the borscht with their tempestuous love affair.
Set in the 60s, with references to Mississippi freedom marches, abortion issues and the Vietnam war in the background, Dirty Dancing is more socially conscious than most musicals, but it's the dancing that still carries the day. Brown and Cobb excel in that regard, also Britta Lazenga as Brown's fellow dance instructor, Penny Johnson. The blonde, long-legged, Joffrey-trained Lazenga nearly steals the show with her dazzling balletic moves.
The stage version of Dirty Dancing may be big, loud and brash, but it still manages to be as audience-pleasing as the '87 movie.
Subtitle:
The Classic Movie Story On Stage
Opened:
May 10, 2009
Ended:
June 28, 2009
Country:
USA
State:
California
City:
Los Angeles
Company/Producers:
Jacobsen Entertainment/Lionsgate/Magic Hour Productions
Theater Type:
Regional; Touring
Theater:
Pantages
Theater Address:
6233 Hollywood Boulevard
Phone:
800-982-2787
Website:
broadwayla.org
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
James Powell
Review:
Cast:
Josef Brown, Amanda Leigh Cobb, Britta Lazenga, John Bolger, Molly C. Callinan, Katlyn Carlson, Joseph Costa, Jonathan Epstein, Ryan Farrell, Kaitlin Hopkins, Michael C. Howell, Lauren Klein, Michael Lluberes, Ben Mingay & Adam Overett (plus ensemble).
Technical:
Stage Manager: Michael John Egan; Choreographer: Kate Champion; Set: Stephen Brimson Lewis; Music Supervisor: Conrad Helfrich; Lighting: Tim Mitchell; Sound: Bobby Aitken; Costumes: Jennifer Irwin; Video & Projection: Jon Driscoll; Production Supervisor: Arthur Siccardi Theatrical Services, Inc.
Critic:
Willard Manus
Date Reviewed:
May 2009
