Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels

Hudson Theatre

July 9, 2018

Photo courtesy of Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels is fun and smart and wild and sexy!  Combining the music of The Go-Go’s with The Arcadia, a play written at the end of the 16^th century by Sir Philip Sidney, is pure genius.  The design and style for the production is over the top and brilliant.  It is the Renaissance meets Greek tragedy in the 1980s, surging forward to tell a well needed message of acceptance, love, and persistence.  The creative team, led by director Michael Mayer, pulls out all the stops and picks up the pace to entertain, dazzle, and fill the Hudson Theatre with pure joy.

Princess Philoclea (played by Alexandra Socha) is in love with Musidorus, a mere shepherd boy (played by Andrew Durand).  Her older sister, Princess Pamela (played by Bonnie Milligan), has been introduced to numerous suitors over the past five years, and cannot find anyone to her liking.  Their father, Basilius, King of Arcadia (played by Jeremy Kushnier), is not happy with these events, and his wife, Gynecia (played by Rachel York), is not happy with him.  Pythio, the Oracle of Delphi (played by Peppermint) has four predictions for the King.  When they come true, Arcadia will have a new King, “lose their beat,” and fall into turmoil and despair.  King Basilius keeps the oracle a secret and takes his family and court on a journey to Bohemia to avoid the predictions and face his adversary head on.  Truth in the guise of mayhem ensues, proving that you meet your destiny on your journey of denial.

Photo courtesy of Head Over Heels

The cast and ensemble are a skillful, energetic, and cohesive unit.  They are truly amazing in every way.  Their voices are strong.  Their energies are high.  Their timing is crisp.  Andrew Durand and Alexandra Socha are heartwarming and funny.  Jerry Kushnier and Rachel York are bold and commanding.  Bonnie Milligan and Taylor Iman Jones are daring and hilarious.  Peppermint is dazzling and fabulous.  Tom Alan Robbins is the glue that holds them all together during the mayhem. 

Photo courtesy of Head Over Heels

Scenic design by Julian Crouch creates numerous, imaginary locations that transport you into this outlandish story.  They are lush, alive, and colorful through enhancement from lighting designer Kevin Adams and projection designer Andrew Lazarow.  The costumes, by Arianne Phillips, transcends any specific time period.  They encompass a wide array of styles and evoke clear characters with a single glance.  Tom Kitt’s choreography is fierce and thrilling.

Head Over Heels is playing at the Hudson Theatre.  If you see anything this summer, make it this show!

 

Domenick Danza

Paramour

The Lyric Theatre

August 19, 2016

Photo courtesy of Paramour

Paramour is everything you expect when Cirque du Soleil combines with the high tech production value the Lyric Theatre was redesigned to accommodate.  The production is slick, breathtaking, and, at times, heart stopping.  The story line is well developed, yet the aerial ballets, trapeze choreography, and trampoline acrobatics dominate the experience.  Let’s face it, that’s what you’re paying for when you buy tickets to Cirque du Soleil.

It is the golden age of Hollywood, and film director AJ Golden (played by Jeremy Kushnier) wins awards for his film Paramour.  He declares in his acceptance speech that he owes it all to his starlet, Indigo James (played by Ruby Lewis).  He tells the story of when he first heard her sing and immediately signed her and her pianist/composer Joey Green (played by Ryan Vona) to his new picture.  AJ Golden dominates her personal life with the same overbearing control he does on his move set, but the love between Indigo and Joey is stronger.

Photo courtesy of Paramour

The aerial ballet during the Cleopatra scene is breathtaking.  The two artists, Andrew and Kevin Atherton, soar above the audience and intertwine with graceful ease that is truly mesmerizing.  The love triangle between the three main characters is interpreted through choreography on the trapeze.  The three trapeze artists perform with astounding technical strength and performance skills that elicit an extreme passion and deep emotion.  The rooftop chase scene at the climax of the story is heightened with trampoline aerial tricks that make you laugh and gasp at the same time.

Photo courtesy of Paramour

Paramour is settling in for a long run at the Lyric Theatre on 42^nd St.  If you’ve seen a Cirque du Soleil performance before, you will not be disappointed.  If you have not, here’s your chance.

Domenick Danza