By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
The 1983 movie “Flashdance,” about a beautiful 19-year-old girl named Alex who works in a Pittsburgh steel mill and dreams of becoming a professional dancer, became one of the highest grossing films of the year. Actress Jennifer Beals’ hip and stylish wardrobe influenced millions of young women, à la Diane Keaton in “Annie Hall.”
Now, Broadway in Atlanta has “Flashdance the Musical” at the Fox through February 10. If you loved the movie, you’ll probably love the live show. Opening night brought out a huge, mostly enthusiastic crowd.
It’s a “dance musical,” as you might expect, and I must say up front that I’m quite in awe of the lead, a young actress/dancer/singer named Emily Padgett.
Have you heard of “heavy lead” shows? Well, Ms. Padgett is hardly ever offstage, and the amount of singing and dancing that she does (and she does both extremely well) in a two and a half hour show is astounding. Where does she get the energy? Surely she doesn’t do a matinee and an evening performance on the same day—the program doesn’t say.
You probably know the story: Alex’ dream is to be a professional dancer, but works as a welder by day and an exotic dancer by night. “Take your passion and make it happen,” said the ads for the film, and that’s exactly what Alex has in mind.
But she has no real professional training, except for her invaluable mentor, Hannah, a former ballerina, played beautifully by JoAnn Cunningham; and she wants to apply to the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance and Repertory. What Alex does have is an inborn gift for movement, and an actress’ sense of observation, and she constantly checks out the way street dancers move and spin.
She also has a boyfriend—her boss at the mill, a handsome, kind man named Nick (Matthew Hydzik) who also sings like a dream. He’s from a well-to-do Pittsburgh family and puts in a good word for Alex at the Conservatory, assuring her of at least an audition. Alex is furious when she learns this; she wants to do it all on her own merit. She calls off the audition—for a time.
You may wonder: Why make a musical of “Flashdance” at all? Perhaps the huge popularity of “Billy Elliot” and shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” has something to do with it.
The show has some dazzling computer-produced visuals; the hit songs from the movie are all here: “Flashdance—What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” and “I Love Rock and Roll.” And there are also new songs. But let’s not kid ourselves; this is not the new “West Side Story” or “South Pacific.” However—the passion, the yearning, and the dancing—these are universal and audiences respond to them. The beautiful, toned bodies of the dancers are also quite magnetic.
Some more fine performers: Matthew Henerson, Rachelle Rak, DeQuina Moore, David R. Gordon, and Kelly Felthous. This is a cast of young, seasoned pros; their credits are impressive. They won’t disappoint.
The brilliant and prolific Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys,” “Next to Normal,” “Memphis”) directed and choreographed. There’s ballet, modern, jazz, and break dancing.
Supposedly this show is bound for Broadway; I wish them well, but I think there will be some cutting and show doctoring before that happens. That’s what the road is for.
Meanwhile, “Flashdance the Musical” seems to have a large built-in audience. If you’re thinking of going, get those tickets now.
For more more information, visit broadwayinatlanta.com.