REVIEW: Flashdance the musical
Photo by Kyle Froman
I was happy to accept an invitation to see FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL at the Orpheum Theater last evening.
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and a bar dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream.
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL features a score that includes the biggest hit songs from the movie, including the Academy Award-winning title song “Flashdance -What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” and “I Love Rock & Roll.”
There is no doubt that FLASHDANCE has a strong cult following. As soon as the curtain went up and the music started playing, giddy cheers erupted from the audience. I have not seen the movie so I did not have such anticipation. Overall, I thought FLASHDANCE was a solid production best described as “good.” Everything from the singing to the staging was simply “good.” I enjoyed the show but was never really wowed. I expected some pretty fantastic choreography and a few stunning dance moves here and there but felt those moments never arrived. The b-boy dancers were thoroughly entertaining but perhaps I’ve seen too many episodes of So You Think You Can Dance to think that they were exceptional. Again, I’m hardly saying that the choreography and dancing was bad, I just expected a bit more. I did enjoy the water scene, however. Even if you have not seen the movie you likely are familiar with this iconic scene and it would be unjust to do without it in a musical version (see picture above).
FLASHDANCE is packed with cheese and I don’t think the audience would have it any other way. The 80s costumes, 80s dance moves and writing all made the production feel dated, which I cannot deny is likely the obvious intent. FLASHDANCE is a guilty pleasure and there’s nothing wrong with that. It just wont blow your socks off if you aren’t into the movie.
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL will be performed at The Orpheum Theatre through April 7, 2013.
Tickets start at $34 but student/educator rush are available for all performances (2 tickets per valid ID; $25 per ticket; cash only; available only at the Orpheum Theatre Box Office beginning 2 hours prior to showtime; rush line forms outside of theater; resale of rush tickets is strictly prohibited and all tickets are subject to availability.)