[NEohioPAL] Berko review: FLASHDANCE @ PlayhouseSquare/Palace

[Roy Berko]

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*Local actor, Corey Mach, turns on the audience in "Flashdance" at the
Palace*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)



On opening night, when Corey Mach made his first appearance on stage in
"Flashdance The Musical," the audience, after being prepped about his
entrance by Gina Vernaci, Senior Vice President of Theater Operations,
greeted him with a lengthy ovation.  During the curtain call, the audience
exploded in vocal and physical adoration when Mach came on stage.  Then,
when the 2006 Strongsville High School and 2010 Baldwin-Wallace alum put on
an Indian's baseball cap, the Palace Theatre literally shook with unbridled
excitement.  Yes, this was a glorious "welcome home Corey" celebration.



Mach is Broadway leading man material.  He's tall, dark, handsome, with a
strong singing voice, great acting chops, and a charming "Midwest
wholesome" personality.  Mach's credits already include the international
tour of "Rent," as well as the role of Fiyero in the touring production of
"Wicked," and the Broadway revival of "Godspell."



When I reviewed Mach in the 2010 BW/Playhouse Square production of "Chess,"
as staged by BW Musical Theater faculty member, Victoria Bussert, I
commented that he was "sincere and sensitive."   In another commentary I
tagged him as "ready for Broadway," and as having "star quality."   Yes,
he's another one of Bussert's "kids" who is making good!



The touring version of "Flashdance The Musical" is part of the Key Bank
Broadway series.  The national tour, which started in January of 2013, has
four more stops, ending in Toronto (May 27-June 8).



The show is based on the 1983 romantic film, "Flashdance," which was
written by Tom Hedley and Clevelander, Joe Esterhazy.



Though the flick opened to negative reviews, it went on to be a surprise
box office success.  It was the third highest grossing film of 1983 and has
become a cult favorite, having brought in more than $100 million dollars in
worldwide box office sales.  The sound track included "Maniac" and
"Flashdance...What a Feeling" which have become pop standards.



The musical stage version, which was billed as "an unmistakably unique
musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all odds,"
premiered in the UK, and toured that country.  The oft-promised Broadway
opening is up-in-the-air.  Originally the show was announced as opening on
the Great White Way in August of 1913.  That date has been set back, and
now is in limbo again because the producers say, "The postponement is due
to a lack of theaters."



Both the stage and film versions center on Alex Owens, an eighteen-year-old
small town girl who moves to Pittsburgh in order to pursue a career in
dance.  She has no formal training and winds up working as an exotic dancer
by night and a welder in the Hurley Steel Mill by day.  In the musical,
into her workday life saunters Nick Hurley, the grandson of the mill's
owner.  Their on-and-off romance, her overcoming her lack of dance
self-confidence, complications caused by issues of her co-workers at both
the bar and the steel mill, and her need to learn the meaning of love, fuel
the story.



Of course, as happens in all feel-good, plot obvious musicals, only a
"Maniac" wouldn't know that in the "Steeltown Sky," the girl will realize
"It's All in Reach," as "Here and Now," she understands that this is "Where
I Belong," and she learns to "Hang on," so she finally can realize, "What a
Feeling" it is to get her dancing dreams and a wealthy, nice, and studly
guy.



The musical and book don't exactly follow the same plan.  Sixteen songs
have been added for the stage version, Grunt, the lovable dog of flick
fame, is gone, lots of characters are cut and others added, the name of the
dance conservatory has been changed, the character of Jeannie, an ice
skating friend of Alex, has been modified, the character of Nick's ex-wife
is gone, and Alex doesn't trash Nick's apartment.  What is left is an
obvious "I told you that's the way it would turn out" ending of boy meets
girl, girl rejects boy, boy pursues, girl finally realizes that he is
prince charming!



The touring production is pure entertainment, centering on dancing, dancing
and more dancing, plus singing, singing and more singing.  It sweeps up the
audience, not with the story but with the choreography, musicality, and the
abundant use of electronic graphics.



The role of Nick Hurley is a perfect vehicle for Mach.  He puts on the
character and wears it with complete confidence and talent.  He makes
Clevelanders proud to call him "ours."



Tiny and adorable Sydney Morton has the right cocky, yet insecure persona
as Alex.  Her singing and acting are excellent, her dancing not up to the
required level.  Her highlight number, when she tries out for dance school,
though perfectly adequate, doesn't compel as it should.



Alison Ewing and Dequina Moore delight as exotic dancers, the dance chorus
is high octane excellent, and the orchestra, though sounding rather shrill
due to an over-dependence on the electronic keyboard, develops the
multi-musical sounds.



*CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  "Flashdance The Musical" is one of those musicals that
delights audiences, while not being a well-written show.  It has strong
music, great choreography and Corey Mach, local kid makeing good.  That
ought be more than enough to please the Cleveland faithful.*

"Flashdance The Musical" is scheduled to run through April 13, 2014.  For
tickets call 216-241-6000 or go to www.playhousesquare.org



*Add-ons*:

*Prepare to be dazzled on May 2, when the $16-million upgrade of Playhouse
Square becomes a reality...four welcoming gateways, video boards, marquees, a
48-foot Playhouse Square sign atop the Cowell & Hubbard Building, and the
world's largest outdoor chandelier will all be set ablaze.



*Congrats to the subscribers to the Key Bank Broadway series.  The 29,266
of you hold membership in the largest subscriber series in the U.S.!


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