Review: LEVI! A NEW MUSICAL Gives A One-Of-A-Kind Look Into The Life Of A Well-Known Name

Look in your closet. How many pairs of jeans have the renowned Levi Strauss patch sewn above the back right pocket? I have quite a few pairs but neglected to wear a single one to the premiere of LEVI! A NEW MUSICAL. Although I was disappointed in myself for this missed opportunity, I was not disappointed by this endearing, yet educational, show.

Presented by Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy and Kritzerland Entertainment, LEVI! brought the story of Levi Strauss from the Internet to the stage. A Bavarian-born Jew, Strauss experienced anti-Semitism in his home country, so he immigrated to the United States to pursue the "American dream." When he arrived in New York City Strauss began working for his uncle, but the California Gold Rush of 1849 attracted many to the West, including Strauss.

And the rest is history.

With the witty and humorous book by Larry Cohen and Janelle Webb Cohen, plus music composed by the Oscar-winning Sherman brothers, LEVI! offered the audience a quirky and fun dive into the life of one of the most well-known jean creators. The music was reminiscent of previous Sherman Brothers' works, which I highly admired. It was almost like I was in a Disney film instead of a college's theatre.

Of course there would not be a musical without a book or music, but in this case, there would not be LEVI! without Marc Ginsburg. For me, he was the highlight of the entire show. Not once did he break character by forgetting his German accent and not once did he miss a beat with his comedic lines. He truly brought the character of Levi Strauss to life and encapsulated the type of person Strauss was: a wholesome man with good morals. I felt he was the strongest actor on the stage in terms of presence and voice. I found the lead female (Rachel Frost, who played Sarah Zimmerman) had good stage presence but was subpar vocally when putting her next to Ginsburg. I thought the same of Prisca Kim (Su Lin) when she sang "The Dream I Must Not Dream." It was not that the women in this show were not talented; they just were not strong enough choices for leads.

That being said, the cast as a whole was cohesive and entertaining. It was clear as day they enjoyed being on that stage telling the story, and I have always enjoyed seeing that kind of raw enthusiasm. It made the show bubbly and energetic. For its opening night, it was a harmonious flow of a performance (minus a couple costume faux pas, but it would not be live theatre without them).

The wooden set, designed by Tesshi Nakagawa, dominated the entire stage, but I liked how it could be transformed with a simple turn of a staircase and the change of a backdrop. It reminded me of HAIR's scaffoldings and truck, except the band for LEVI! sat behind the set. I thought Director Bruce Kimmel used the set tastefully in scenes and musical numbers, and Derek Jones' lighting design manipulated the set just enough to change the overall mood. I also enjoyed Kay Cole's choreography. I always marvel at great routines, and the ones in LEVI! were no exception. I was very impressed with Morgan Gannes' costume design. All costumes were evocative of the mid-19th century, whether it was when we were sailing to America, mining for gold or watching a jean empire rise before our eyes. I thought the entire cast was well dressed.

LEVI! opened my eyes to appreciating the jeans as a product and Levi's as a company. Paying upwards of $50 for a pair of quality denim jeans does not seem farfetched anymore.

So, button your 501® Originals and head down to LACC's Camino Theatre for a riveting story about one of fashion's most famous icons. Performances are Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. For more information regarding on-site parking, tickets and theatre location, call 323-953-4999 ext. 2990, or visit theatreacademy.lacitycollege.edu.

LACC is located at 855 N. Vermont Ave in Los Angeles.

Photo credit: Carrie Frances Photography

To post a comment, you must register and login.