By AGENCY REPORTER
The stage version of the classic 1980s hit
film Dirty Dancing has come to Singapore -- and
it shows that the dance moves then can still sizzle today. Read more
The musical, which opened at the Marina Bay
Sands Grand Theater on Friday, guarantees non-stop dancing amid bright lights,
fast-moving sets and floaty dance skirts.
Set in America in 1963, Dirty Dancing tells the tale of Frances "Baby" Houseman, a young girl
from a wealthy family who aspires to be part of the Peace Corps. During summer
vacation at a luxurious resort, Baby makes the acquaintance of working-class
servers and entertainers, who introduce her to the world of latin dance -- a
steamy, sensual style of movement the sheltered Baby had never seen before.
History buffs will also appreciate the
multiple allusions throughout that remind audiences of the context in which the
show was taking place: the Martin Luther King Jr.-led civil rights movement
(through a brief radio broadcast aired in a campfire scene), the racial
barriers (there were just two blacks and a smattering of Hispanics) and the
Cold War (through references to the Domino Theory and the Cuban Missile
Crisis).
Bryony Whitfield plays a very endearing
'Baby'. (Photo courtesy of BASE Entertainment Asia)
27-year-old Bryony Whitfield plays an
endearing Baby, whose awkwardness and innocent confusion in the first half of
the show proves unwittingly attractive and just the right amount of humorous.
Her chemistry with Johnny Castle understudy
Luigi Vigliotti, however, is rather awkward in the beginning, particularly in
one intimate scene that ended quite unexpectedly with the intermission.
Johnny's relationship with Baby becomes more convincing as the show wears on,
and Vigliotti can be seen pulling off the key lifts confidently and with little
signs of slipping.
Mila De Biaggi, who plays Penny, is
responsible for some of the most sizzling dance moves on the & 34; Dirty
Dancing & 34; floor.
Mila De Biaggi, who plays Penny, is
responsible for some of the most sizzling dance moves on the "Dirty
Dancing" …
Undoubtedly worthy of mention is Mila De
Biaggi, who displays impressive technique, style and flair as Penny.
Dance-wise, it would be difficult to deny that her chemistry with Vigliotti far
surpassed that which existed between him and Whitfield, though it should have
been the other way round.
And while the lead character-dancers don't
do much singing -- something pretty uncharacteristic of most musicals -- two of
the most impressive voices came from the supporting cast. Kyle Grant, who plays
Billy, did a wonderfully romantic rendition of the Five Satins' "In The
Still of the Night" and Sebe Leotlela, who plays a dancer named Cathy,
presented quite a compelling version of "We Shall Overcome".
The ensemble cast of & 34; Dirty
Dancing & 34; is certainly a treat to watch
with their sultry, sensual dancing.
The ensemble cast of Dirty Dancing is certainly a treat to watch with their sultry, sensual dancing.
(Photo courtesy …
De Biaggi is backed up by an almost equally
strong ensemble, whose explosively sexy dance segments easily headline the
show. High kicks, impressive lifts, deep dives and poses with different levels
reflect a well thought-out choreography and creative staging that ensure there
is much to see all over the stage.
All that said, however, the show, as one
might expect, does not lend significantly to complexity in terms of plot
development. Scenes at the beginning of the first half shift rapidly, and one
finds it a challenge to establish who's who or what's happening. Details emerge
in dribs and drabs, and it would probably be easier for someone familiar with
the film and its characters to follow developments. Plot points are revealed in
short dialogue scenes that seemed either superfluous or more smoothly
interwoven elsewhere.
If you're looking for a
visually-stimulating, sensually-rousing good time with a wide range of classic
60s hits, Dirty Dancing provides a good mix of
all that, as well as a reminder of the social issues of that era.
Don't expect too much in terms of plot or
character development, but the dancing very much compensates for it.
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