They're Actually Bringing FLASHDANCE To Broadway

[Markecib]

Bump

Just got back from the Flashdance Press Preview in Pittsburgh.

Sergio Trujillo introduced 3 of the principle, showed some of the scenic elements of the show and there were 4 songs performed. Here are some quick things, as you will see video soon, I saw Broadway.com and other sites there filming.

The leads are Emily Padgett (Alex) and Matt Hydzik (Nick). Rachelle Rak will also star, but not character name was given.

Rachelle sang “I Love Rock N Roll” and Rachelle was Rachelle.

Side note: Does Pippin not conflict with this? I thought Rachelle was doing that also?

Rachelle and Matt are both originally from Pittsburgh and they talked about that.

Sergio then introduce Emily (Odd not seeing her as a blond), who’s hair looks like it was stolen from Janet Decal, which is funny because Janet did some season previews for some cities, then Matt and her sang a pop heavy duet. Everything out of context, but Matt sounded good, Emily got over powered by him. Then all 3 sang “What a Feeling” with Matt and Rachelle drowning out Emily again. Kinda awkward, but whatever.

Sergio said there were 14 brand new songs, not sure he meant since the London version or if he was including the songs from the London version.

He also showed some of the set, and the slides were impressive especially one scene that is set under one of the Pittsburgh bridges. They use real images of the bridges of Pittsburgh in some other scenes.

So that was that.

[sondheimboy2]

While it will do nothing for the future of musical theatre, it will keep a theatre rented and actors and tech crew employed.

[Markecib]

The Cultural Trust has video on YouTube now.
Flashdance Preview

[RippedMan]

Wow. That looks awful, and sounds pretty cheesy/awful.

I've lost (pardon the pun) faith in Broadway producers. If they can develop something like Scandalous for 10 years and give us what it is, and develop Leap of Faith for years and give us that, then they don't know anything.

[songanddanceman2]

lol at the press launch, here is a clip of the London show, the lead actress was fantastic, she got some great reviews and a few award nominations i believe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krS6FATXxWY

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJVM7SPgSrY&feature=related

[TrulyOutrageousJem]

I have to say that I am really REALLY excited about this show coming to Broadway. I know that it will never be a ground-breaking, soul churning, historically important piece of theater but that's ok with me. I love the movie, I adore the sound track, and I am obsessed with that 80's-frantic-dazzling style of dance. I will be first in line to buy tickets to this and will want nothing more then to have a good time and be entertained. And when did that become such a bad thing to ask for in a Broadway show?

I will say that I am nervous that they are touring with it first. I can't imagine it performing to packed houses on the road without the backing of it already being a "Broadway hit." And if it doesn't do well on the road I doubt we will ever see it in NY. Sad.

[doodlenyc]

Who is Rachelle Rak playing? I don't remember a Tess in the film. Is she an amalgam of the old teacher and the old stripper?

So, instead of Alex dancing to audition for the ballet company, she's going to sing the song?

Will Jeannie sing and skate to "Gloria"?

[aaronb]

K.

[darquegk]

Call me when they announce SCARFACE.

[RippedMan]

Sorry, but that looks stupid. RE: The London production.

I'm sorry but this is going to majorily flop on Bway.

[tourboi]

"I will say that I am nervous that they are touring with it first. I can't imagine it performing to packed houses on the road without the backing of it already being a "Broadway hit." And if it doesn't do well on the road I doubt we will ever see it in NY. Sad."

That didn't seem to hurt BRING IT ON, which fared well on the road.

[Mr Roxy]

Why?

[darquegk]

Actually, I think I would LIKE to see Scarface: El Musical Con Cojones.

The Giorgio Moroder score is memorable enough, and the film has that Brian DePalma bizarro camp-horror feel already.

[Playbilly]

Do they reinvent the water scene from the movie? Are there splash seats?

I'm serious.

[Markecib]

I'm sure some version of the water scene will be there, but they were really stressing this is completely different from the UK version in every way. News songs, book staging etc... They only similarity would be the use of certain songs from the movie, "What a feeling," " Gloria" etc... The only specific scene really talked about was the first.

Alex is walking home from the steel mill, sees a traffic cop and she starts imagining he's dancing. I'll be there January 1 so I'll post something after that. Character details were not really mentioned.

[CarlosAlberto]

I wanna do Sergio Trujillo.

[CarlosAlberto]

OMG!!! That press event was HORRIFIC! Where's Irene Cara when you need her?!!!!

[ACL2006]

no thanks. and I'd like to know what part Rak is playing as well. I would assume she won't be apart of Pippin because of this.

[RippedMan]

You like Sergio? I think he and Andy B. are the most over-hyped choreographers working.

[songanddanceman2]

They haven't changed all the new songs from London just some, which is good as the London one had some good songs in (a few clunkers as well). The water scene was pretty meh in the UK, she was sat on the chair at the back of the stage and water poured down on for a few seconds then it went to interval

[dramamama611]

Sorry. "While it will do nothing for the future of musical theatre, it will keep a theatre rented and actors and tech crew employed."

NO, that is NOT enough of a reason to sully the perception of what a Broadway show SHOULD be. People deserve better than a steaming pile of crap served to them. How many of the folks that see that will it be both their first and last experience of a Bway show? How many boyfriends will be dragged, only to have their perceptions quantified by it?

I know not every show finds an audience, even really fabulous shows. But when they bring shows that are (across the board) substandard, and they KNOW it (from the tour, from out of towns, etc) they should be ashamed of themselves.

Using the logic at the top, why not praise scalpers, the mafia, or anyone else that makes a buck because at least "someone" is making money?

[Mystic Pasta]

The Pittsburgh producers should take that clip down. It is horrible. I was excited to see the show, but now will skip it. Sounds like a pathetic karaoke arrangement and the performers look unhappy to be there. Super cheesy choreography. Are they singing in the lobby of the Titanic? What a feeling, indeed. A feeling that Rachelle and Emily's talents are wasted here.

[ajh]

Must say, I saw the London production twice (I even paid the second time!!) and thought there was alot of good stuff in it. The structure of the book wasn't great but it was definitely fixable -the story basically WORKS- the majority of the new songs blended seamlessly with the film score and were tuneful and genuinely theatrical, and the big numbers that everyone knows were, to me, frankly thrilling. The dances in London were derivative but exhilarating nonetheless and I think that, for B'way, with a really terrific choreographer onboard, this could be a knockout. This may not be saying all that much, but this, even in its' imperfect W/End outing, was infinitely better than the stage versions of Footloose, Dirty Dancing and Saturday Night Fever. Would definitely go and see it on B'way. Oh yes, and the "water scene" on stage was great fun!

[ACL2006]

in this Playbill.com article, it says Rak is playing the character of Tess, who wasn't in the movie. interesting....
Playbill.com article

[Markecib]

Strangely they also said a second company will brought to Broadway in August. So the tour won't necessarily be the Broadway company. So some will probably come over while the others tour, which I find odd.

[Marieann]

I loved the WestEnd production. While it wasnt groundbreaking it was entertaining and thats is something some shows are not. After seeing Wicked and Sister Act I wasnt concerned about seeing every show, but after I saw Flashdance in its final week, and i returned as often as i could, i started seeing musical theatre regularly.

Its has some lovely moments and i adored the entire cast, and will now see any show with an ex-flashdance cast member in it.

I am interested to see this and when i visit the states next year i will certainly call in.