Theatre in Review

Displaying items by tag: Bank of America Theater

Wednesday, 30 December 2015 15:12

If You Ever Loved Dancing You GOTTA See "Gotta Dance"!

 

"Gotta Dance" is a partly fictional partly true story based on the 2008 documentary film by Dori Bernestein about the New Jersey Nets and the basketball team’s efforts to boost flagging attendance by creating the first-ever hip-hop halftime dance team comprised only of those 60 and older. 

 

Georgia Engel, best known for her role on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, plays a school teacher who secretly loves, listens and dances to Tupac in her spare time. Engel steals the show with practically every line of hers getting huge laughs, showing that not only can she still sing and dance at the age of 67, Engle has lost NONE of her terrific comedic timing. 

 

Also, Stefanie Powers most famous for her role on TV's "Hart to Hart" looks, dances and sounds absolutely beautiful in her role as the slightly bitter divorcee. Once crowned Miss NY Subway, she refuses to let go of her youthful image holding on any way she can, including Botox and still taking three dance classes a week at the age of 73.

 

Two of the best songs in the show “Dorothy/Dottie” and “The Prince of Swing” are the work of Marvin Hamlisch (“A Chorus Line”), who worked on the show just before his death in 2012.

 

Dance team member Camilla is played by a tall, thin, gorgeous Broadway singer and dancer, Nancy Ticotin, who at age 58 engaged in a HOT, sexy affair with her 25-year-old salsa partner (Alexander Aguilar). Ticotin's excellent dancing and voice are really standouts in this show and her affair with a younger man is entirely believable as she looks and dances with the grace of a woman half her age. 

 

Mae, who is an adorable, well-meaning but slightly confused and off balance dancer is played by Lori Tan Chinn. Chinn gives heart wrenching but casually delivered rendering of “The Waters Rise”, a moving song about her husband’s deterioration from Alzheimer’s disease. 

 

The sole man in the dance group is Ron played adorably by Andre De Shields, a still mourning widower who has a fantastic mellowed out yet modern feel to his Jazzy dancing and delivery of straight forward encouragement to the ladies around him in the show. 

 

Like many of the characters in the show, I "used to be a dancer" until I was disabled in an accident so I really loved the fact that they showed that practically everyone has some of the ability to keep dancing at an advanced age, whether it's hip hop, swing, or tap if you like!

 

"Gotta Dance" also showed the ageism young dancers face when being "retired" forcibly from their dance squads at the ripe old age of 27. 

 

I highly recommend "Gotta Dance". This is a funny, fast paced, heartwarming and inspiring show every single person should see at some time in their life.

 

"Gotta Dance" reminds us all we are spirits living in bodies that may be slowly deteriorating, but we need never give up the JOY of DANCING our young or old bodies - in our living rooms at least! Playing at Bank of America Theatre through January 17th, tickets and more show info can be found at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Published in Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 October 2014 19:00

Amazing Grace Heartfelt and Moving

Josh Young and Erin Mackey were just wonderful in their portrayal of John Newton and his love interest.  Their conversation and interaction on stage was only topped by their beautiful voices.  "Amazing Grace" is the true account of John Newton's  journey from being a selfish, spoiled, 'set in ways' young man to being a powerful voice and advocate against slavery in the mid 1700's.  It seemed obvious that John's early years were much influenced by his father, Captain Newton played by Tom Hewitt.  The captains frustration with his fool hearty son would eventually cause him to take drastic measures for John's own sake.  The trade business was the source of family wealth.  Tragically human trafficking was an acceptable means of trade that John not only accepted, but participated in causing his dear Mary Catlett to appeal to his heart and conscious to no avail.
 
The stage could only present the affliction and heartbreak of a people experiencing unjust slavery.  Because of that, the emotion of what was happening in that historical period couldn't come across to the audience as it should.  The greater part of the performance concentrated on John's life before his conversion.  It was anticipated but left hanging when he almost drowned and after being saved still continued in his same ways and mindsets.  This theme lingered longer than needed from an observers point of view.  The 2nd near death experience, and the heartfelt, concerned words of Mary awakened his spirit to be convicted of his sin and folly, and genuinely move his life forward to right wrongs.  The grand finally following the performance was the whole cast singing 'Amazing Grace'.  
 
"When they sang, it brought me to tears" was one person's comment.  She added, that she had never seen the movie or knew the story, but compared to other theater experiences she would give it 3 stars.
 
"Amazing Grace" is certainly worth seeing, although some may be surprised that it concentrates more on Johns life prior to his stand against slavery and perseverance to keep fighting against all odds.   As a reviewer I would have loved more moments to stand up and cheer!  All actors were gifted and the scenes flowed together wonderfully.  Get your ticket and enjoy!   (Performance at the Bank of America Theater through November 2nd)
Published in Theatre in Review

 

 

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