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GOTTA DANCE...6th Preview In Chi....They Dance!...They Rap!...They're Old!..
Posted by: toddlin 06:41 pm EST 12/19/15
Based on the 2008 documentary movie this entertaining but ultimately unfulfilling musical is the story of nine seniors who form a dance troupe named "Nifty Shades Of Grey" to perform at halftime for a New Jersey basketball team. The team's owners hope it will help with attendance.

Started by Marvin Hamlisch shortly before his death the score was completed by Matthew Sklar. Only two songs are credited to Hamlisch. He is most definately missed.
The almost all female cast is led by Stefanie Powers and Georgia Engel. Andre De Shields completes the leading player trio. All are capable but not distinguished. Lori Tan Chinn as the feisty 78 year old Mae is the shows real star.

The basic problem with this show is that it tip toes and skates around the elephant in the room--aging and ageism. Oh it makes some cute jokes about these issues but never really goes there.

Director Jerry Mitchell has many months before Broadway to fix this and I hope he does.

Runs thru Feb 17 at the Bank Of America Thester In Chicago.
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it closes Jan 17
Posted by: dramedy 11:47 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: GOTTA DANCE...6th Preview In Chi....They Dance!...They Rap!...They're Old!.. - toddlin 06:41 pm EST 12/19/15
Not feb 17

I was surprised it wasn't transferring this spring, but it does sound like the show needs more than tweaking.
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re: it closes Jan 17
Posted by: toddlin 01:29 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: it closes Jan 17 - dramedy 11:47 am EST 12/20/15
Yes. You're right. It has been extended by two weeks, something that has never happened with one of these "pre-Broadway" runs.

Thinking about this overnight I feel as if it is pretty much a Christmas Sugar Cookie. Tasty but not nourishing. It's ironic that a show about how people of a certain age refuse to be relegated to life in a recliner and social irrelevancy only addresses the issue superficially. Sure it's a musical comedy and need not be message heavy. But at least talk about it without just flipping it off with lame jokes.

There's only one song on point.. Mae sings "The Waters Rise" about her Alzheimer's stricken husband. Quite moving.

I want this show to succeed in NYC but fear it won't . That said most of yesterday's matinee crowd seemed to really enjoy it.
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re: it closes Jan 17
Posted by: Singer7772 07:35 am EST 12/21/15
In reply to: re: it closes Jan 17 - toddlin 01:29 pm EST 12/20/15
I thought that song "The Waters Rise" was the least moving song! Andre de Shields' song was the highlight of the night. Beautiful. And I'd say Georgia Engel steals the show. I thought she was hilarious.

Definitely agree though that it's not nourishing in the way it should be. It's funny and sweet but I'm never truly moved the way I want to be. But I think it's fixable. The question is, will they fix it?

And is it definitely coming to NYC?
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Will They Fix It?
Posted by: toddlin 03:51 pm EST 12/21/15
In reply to: re: it closes Jan 17 - Singer7772 07:35 am EST 12/21/15
Maybe they don't think it needs to be fixed. See what the critics have to say. Chris Jones has reported that Jerry Mitchell changed 40 pages of KINKY BOOTS between Chicago and New York.
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