March 10-22, 2015 - Flashdance the Musical @ Fisher Theatre
Flashdance the Musical
Review by Michele Kotlarsky
The show actually starts before the actors come onto the stage, with music and visuals on a 3-D screen. I began to feel like I was part of the musical!
The story takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Hurley Steel Factory. The owner, Alex Owens, works there as a welder by day and is a dancer by night at Harry’s Bar. Her fantasy job is to be a ballet dancer and she dreams of going to Shipley Academy, but feels inadequate. Her best friend Gloria encourages her to live her dream, as does her older friend Hannah. The sound effects and welding sparks seemed to turn the theater into a real steel mill.
Alex’s boss Nick Hurley, who at first no one knew he was the owner's son, flirts with her his first day on the job. She says she doesn’t date the boss, but that doesn’t stop him. He eventually fires her and it is then that she begins to date him. He encourages her to apply at Shipley, without her knowing why he felt she had a chance. The tension between them was palpable and I kept hoping it would turn to love.
After the intermission, Gloria’s boyfriend leaves for New York City to pursue his dreams. She also tries to chase hers as a dancer at a strip club, the Chameleon Club. When May 29th comes along it is Alex’s turn to audition at Shipley and her boyfriend Nick knows the date. She questions how he knew, only to find out it was because he gave the Academy a large check to allow her to do the audition. She dances to FlashDance, “What A Feeling," and then has to wait for her letter from the Academy to see if she passed her audition. You will have to go see the show to find out if she did or not!
The music was loud and sounded like a real band, however I did not see one. Warning, this show uses strobe lighting and fake smoke. The story was inspiring to always follow your dreams. Below is a link for you to get your tickets to go see this before it’s too late!
Here’s what the Flashdance website http://www.flashdancethemusical.com/about-the-show has to say about the show:
“Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the pop culture phenomenon of FLASHDANCE is now live on stage!
With electrifying dance at its core, 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."
In addition to these hits, 16 brand new songs have been written for the musical with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth.
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL features a book by Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay), and Robert Cary with direction and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis).”
Also see
http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
for more great upcoming shows at the Fisher Theatre.
Review by Michele Kotlarsky
The show actually starts before the actors come onto the stage, with music and visuals on a 3-D screen. I began to feel like I was part of the musical!
The story takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Hurley Steel Factory. The owner, Alex Owens, works there as a welder by day and is a dancer by night at Harry’s Bar. Her fantasy job is to be a ballet dancer and she dreams of going to Shipley Academy, but feels inadequate. Her best friend Gloria encourages her to live her dream, as does her older friend Hannah. The sound effects and welding sparks seemed to turn the theater into a real steel mill.
Alex’s boss Nick Hurley, who at first no one knew he was the owner's son, flirts with her his first day on the job. She says she doesn’t date the boss, but that doesn’t stop him. He eventually fires her and it is then that she begins to date him. He encourages her to apply at Shipley, without her knowing why he felt she had a chance. The tension between them was palpable and I kept hoping it would turn to love.
After the intermission, Gloria’s boyfriend leaves for New York City to pursue his dreams. She also tries to chase hers as a dancer at a strip club, the Chameleon Club. When May 29th comes along it is Alex’s turn to audition at Shipley and her boyfriend Nick knows the date. She questions how he knew, only to find out it was because he gave the Academy a large check to allow her to do the audition. She dances to FlashDance, “What A Feeling," and then has to wait for her letter from the Academy to see if she passed her audition. You will have to go see the show to find out if she did or not!
The music was loud and sounded like a real band, however I did not see one. Warning, this show uses strobe lighting and fake smoke. The story was inspiring to always follow your dreams. Below is a link for you to get your tickets to go see this before it’s too late!
Here’s what the Flashdance website http://www.flashdancethemusical.com/about-the-show has to say about the show:
“Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the pop culture phenomenon of FLASHDANCE is now live on stage!
With electrifying dance at its core, 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."
In addition to these hits, 16 brand new songs have been written for the musical with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth.
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL features a book by Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay), and Robert Cary with direction and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis).”
Also see
http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
for more great upcoming shows at the Fisher Theatre.
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