Directed by Jani Walsh-Weber
Book by Tom Hedley & Robert Cary
Music by Robbie Roth
Lyrics by Robert Cary & Robbie Roth
The Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL hasn’t exactly thrilled me with the last couple of shows I’ve seen. Flashdance is yet another production I am saddened to add to the list. As a long time student and patron of the arts, I didn’t go into Flashdance thinking I would have some sort of epiphany about life. We can all agree the book is garbage and it is a jukebox musical. Being a dance focused show, I thought I’d at least enjoy the choreography in some way. I did not. This production had the potential for a terrific show with Paxton Brock, a skilled dancer, choreographer and instructor as well as a powerful performer billed as the lead and Clay Cartland an award winning actor by her side. This show should have at least had some assemblance of a decent production. I am sorry to Paxton and Clay this show failed to showcase their talents the way it should have.
The choreography was awkward and clunky. Dancers were never sure of their space which, coupled with a set that was far too big for the stage, lead to what seamed to be nearly disastrous collisions. The lighting for this production did nothing to enhance the scenes. The blocking never seemed to lead the actors to their light so the focus was always off.
Emotional connections between the actors were few and far between. I’m not sure what direction this production was focused on because none of the actors seemed to want to be there, but being the professionals that they are, they smiled through every moment.
It’s too much to write about all the things that went wrong with this production. I started reviewing shows to promote live theater in the Central Florida area but I fear at this rate I may be discouraging people from seeing live theater.
What happened? It is incredibly disappointing to see these kids put their heart and soul into something and not be sure what to do. These people work tireless and for what? I am mostly enraged at the fact that these performers don’t have the creative outlet they deserve in their regional theaters. Some of these kids work at theme parks all day and rehearse all night, performing constantly. They go to school and have families and friends and try to have some sort of social life around productions they have to grit their teeth through. I am privileged to know many of these talented young people and I am thoroughly disappointed in this theater and others for not recognizing the responsibility they have to help these performers grow and exert themselves in the art form they love and have sacrificed their lives for. The amount of talent on these stages is incredible. Local theaters continue to rely on nostalgia and the mediocrity brought with “named” directors. This does little more than fill the seats and does not help to invest in the future of Central Florida live theater.
Now to give credit to those who deserve it.
Arcadian Broad - This talented dancer is awesome to watch. When he had the opportunity to show his skill, it was breathtaking. My hope is that performers like this will continue to shine and stay with us despite the fact that our theaters do not deserve performers of this caliber.
Arielle Prepetit - I could listen to this woman sing for days. Her vocal runs are incredible and she has a ferociously lovely stage presence.
Bradley D. Gale is the true winner of all of our hearts. What a breath of fresh air his performance of Where I Belong turned out to be. This player picked up a lifeless moment which desperately needed to be revived. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance in an otherwise lifeless production.
In writing this, my intention is not to upset anyone. Also my opinion is just that, an opinion. I am passionate about live theater. I know putting a show together is no easy task. I just ask that the producers of the productions in our community evaluate whether they believe it is important to invest in the future of our local performers so we can be stronger and put on shows our performers can be proud of, productions which challenge them as artists. Good theater can pay the bills too. Ask Chicago.
All the Best.
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