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Where were you in 1977?

Saturday May 05, 2001.     By Joseph Bowen

Theater Feed

Oriental Theatre
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
Through March 25

Where were you in 1977? Well, if you were high school age or older (like this writer), you most likely remember Saturday Night Fever, the movie that became the cultural icon of the times. If you were a fan of the movie, you will not be disappointed in the Broadway musical version of the story. The producers go out of their way to recreate the movie as closely as possible on the stage. It's a fun ride.

Re-creating the movie is a good idea, but it's also part of the problem. The movie, after all, was not a musical, but merely a drama with an excellent soundtrack that centered on the dancing ambitions of its central character, Tony Manero (played by Richard H. Blake here). The music gave the film an energy that was unmistakable. That is mostly true with the show, with a few exceptions. Where the show really succeeds is in the dance sequences, of which there are many. Arlene Phillips' choreography lovingly borrows some of the movie's best dance moments, and the energy coming from the stage is contagious. You will dance in your seat.

Where the show hits some roadblocks is in it's more dramatic moments: scenes in which the major characters express themselves through song, sometimes with songs that have little or nothing to do with the scene. The most glaring examples of this are "Tragedy" (powerfully sung by Jim Ambler), which is meant to convey Bobby C's dilemma at having impregnated his girlfriend, but ends up overstating the case; and "What Kind of Fool" (sung beautifully by Jeanine Myers), a song that laments a relationship of a different sort than we have just seen. This convention does work beautifully, however, with "If I Can't Have You" - belted out with gusto by Aileen Quinn, whose lovesick Annette is a highlight of the show.

Robin Wagner's scenery is very effective, particularly in the disco scenes, complete with a large mirror ball and angled overhead mirror in which you can see the intricate floor lighting patterns. Andrew Bridge's rock concert lighting is perfect, especially in the disco scenes.

Richard H. Blake, as the very Travolta-esque Tony Manero, is perfect. His dance sequences are executed perfectly, and he is right on the money in the more dramatic scenes. Jeanine Myers takes a little while to warm up as Stephanie, but gives a solid performance. Other notable performances are turned in by Aileen Quinn as Annette, Jim Ambler as Bobby C., and Joe Ricci, who does a great comic turn as the DJ/dance teacher Monty.

If you love the way the movie made you feel, and you love the music of the era, you should not miss this. The curtain call will have you dancing from the theatre.