Legends of the 80's

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Legends of the 80’s

Playwrights/Composers – Lee Siegel et al (music and lyrics from 48 songs…)

Production Company/Theatre space –Stage West

Length – 2 ACT (2 hours, 10 minutes, one intermission.)

Genre/s – Musical Revue (or as I call them Wiki Concerts)

Premise – A sampling of songs from the 1980’s featuring artists Prince, Billy Joel, Axel Rose, Slash, Janet Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Elton John and Gloria Estefan linked together with snippets of information about the level of success the song reached.

Why this play? Why now? – This is a Stage West staple. Another crowd pleaser especially for those of us who were in our 20’s in the 80’s.

Curiosities – How would we have experienced this music without the birth of MTV?

Notable Moment – Brue Springsteen picking a woman out of the audience to dance with like 16-year-old Courteney Cox.

Notable writing – I was hoping for more from new writer Lee Siegal. The script falls into a patter patten “This song was written in, it reached this on Billboard’s Top 100, for this amount of time, it sold this many copies, won these awards, and the artist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at this time.” Without turning it into a Jukebox musical there are more creative or interactive ways to introduce the songs. Freddie, “Who are we?” Audience, “The Champions!” Cindy “What do girls just want to have?” Audience “Fun!” comes to mind – anything but the boring statistics that only serve to buy time for costume changes.

Notable performances – This ensemble was charged with many changes to the set list in the program due to a sick singer. We lost Madonna and Cindy Lauper and everyone scrambled to cover. Shows like this are tricky. There is a fine line between homage and impersonation. The wigs and costumes sometimes push the genre into parody. Janet Jackson, Axl Rose, Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry and George Michael were the shining stars. And while everyone is talented, it is Alex Smith who gives me Faith that Calgary can produce world class talent. Catch him before he “Go-Goes” to Broadway.

Notable design/Production – What Lee Siegal lacks as a writer he makes up for as a Video Designer and in concert with Lighting Designer David Smith gives us a stellar show. Sara Turner, who has to call a show with over one thousand cues, should come out and take a bow. Costume Designer Leslie Robison-Green gave us mostly 80’s outfits but there was a baffling amount of 1950’s references.

Notable direction – Ken Overbey integrates iconic steps and moves into his choreography.

One reason to see this show – U2 can take the Journey to see the Dancing in the Dark and hear Your Song – It’s Nothing but a Good Time (plus, you can tailor your meal Anyway You Want It).