377 days - Blog #10.2, the play I saw tonight or 42nd Street
So when we got a VCR in the mid 80’s, one of the very
first things I recorded was a PBS broadcast of the documentary That’s Dancing. I remember some of it was cut
off because I think I was still trying to master that whole timer thing – but I
got enough of it that through multiple watchings of the video, I became a
great fan of Busby Berkeley. The movie
that highlighted that era of dancing, of course, was 42nd Street.
Eventually I watched the whole movie, but really… my
favorite part was just watching that Ruby Keeler number, with that button up
skirt and her … okay, it’s really too late in the evening to come up with an accurate adjective
for those sleeves.
Anyway, tonight I saw the stage version. I’ve never seen the stage version. I don’t even know that I have heard it. And it has been a while since I watched the
complete movie – even that clip though I probably still have that taped
version of That’s Dancing in a box in a closet upstairs. (Netflix, get on it.)
But you get an abatement, Netflix, because I got a good tap
dancing fix tonight.
So, if you read my earlier post today, I have a
determination to celebrate the plays to which I devote an evening.
This was the opening night of Vanilla Box Productions’
second summer musical. There is
something exciting about opening night… like you can sense that intake of
breath that is held until the first curtain call in front of an audience. Because this is the first time the show
becomes real and steps out of the bubble of cast and crew rehearsing. But there is a lot of energy, good and bad
stress, and excitement for the first real response to six or more weeks of hard
work.
I enjoyed myself thoroughly this evening. My 12 year old self was thrilled by all the
tap dancing scenes. I think this is a
show that shouldn’t be touched if there isn’t a cast that can master the swift
rat a tat tat of a tap shoe. This cast
was quite impressive. I loved the group
numbers. I loved seeing the syncopation of
steps and hearing that musicality of all the dance moves.
The movie is very visual.
I mean, gosh, this is Busby Berkeley we’re talking about. It’s also from a time when film was just
getting its feet and learning how to manipulate a camera and close in on a
pretty lady. I was impressed by how a
high school stage could transform to so many scenes without the luxury of an
editing machine or a Hollywood back lot.
My favorite detail was the fact the number “We’re in the Money” had so
many dimes without the silhouette of FDR.
My history geek appreciated that immensely. I also liked that a black and white story had
color on the stage. All the ladies who
lined up for the “Dames” number were a beautiful rainbow and didn’t have the
dullness of the black and white art deco cliché.
Something that surprised me… and maybe this is something I
would see… was the script that I expected to be dated… wasn’t. I mean, there is a number called “Dames.” Where the women parade for adoration of the
men. But, there is an undercurrent of
the Great Depression in the whole show.
The show has to succeed to give everyone in the company a way to make
rent or eat. Maybe we could throw that
into the Cinderella fairy tale… but I think it is a real way of connecting to
my favorite subject of creative economy.
That one artist can create something that helps a whole community.
Which brings me to the next bit.
I think this is a piece of creative economy worth
supporting.
Vanilla Box Productions has been around for 8 years, but
this is the second year since they went from a children’s theater education
program to a full out musical production that is for adults. It is exciting to see this production –
which, yeah, has some rough edges. But I
can completely see how they have grown from last summer and will continue to
grow with the energy and momentum of their cast and crew.
I also want to point out some individuals I am glad to
support. I don’t like to name my friends
in my blog. But I will give a nod to
their roles (and if they don’t mind me mentioning them, I will do so next
time).
One friend is playing Julian Marsh. I know it is in his nature to be critical of
his performance. I totally get it,
because I am that kind of actor. But he
has that reprise of 42nd Street at the end of the show. And his voice, his owning of the stage was a moving and lingering in your memory kind of performance way to say good night.
Another friend plays “Anytime” Annie. But even if she didn’t have a name in this
show, her presence on the stage is enough to command your attention. She dances with skill. Her musical voice carries to the back of the
auditorium. She is in her element in a
show like this. AND the girl is starting
a baking business (like her Facebook page) and supplies the concessions for the
show. Seriously, she was baking during
tech week and still tapped across that stage with contaminating energy.
I have more friends in the cast. Women of the ensemble… but to say that isn’t a
trivialization. The group numbers were
my absolute favorite. They had to
be. This was a movie about dancing with
a weak narrative to connect the songs. The
play isn’t much more. And as such, you
need an ensemble that can carry those songs and dances. I was happy to see my friends keep up the
energy through tap number after tap number.
Yeah.
And last… but definitely far from least, I am also friends with the stage
manager. This is a tough show. I applaud her for having a smile at the end
of the night. For making all those scene
changes happen. For getting the actors
where they need to be. For getting the
opening off and running. Brava, lady.
So, yeah, I have some friends in this cast. But damn, I loved the tap dancing. Enough, maybe, to help populate that list to
which I may have alluded a week ago with an item to get back to the thing I
haven’t done since age five and buy a pair of shoes to help relearn all my tap
dancing vocabulary.
If you would like to check out this show, they run this
Friday and Saturday, as well as next weekend.
You can get all the info on the Facebook event.
Go. Indulge your dancing feet.
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