The ensemble are infected by that gotta dance virus, all dancers are, and it’s the dance finale that is the best part of the show, by which time I’d had enough of Tony’s strutting. There are also jazzy instrumental interludes, which delight me more. Loud music and formulaic dancing keep him alive. Tony has to keep on dancing, it’s in his blood it’s his way out of a stultifying world. Still, it’s just the backbone, the main deal is the music and the gotta dance (my words and yes I think of Gene Kelly) vibe. Concealed desire-does Bobby (lovely solo from Kevin O’Dwyer) maybe yearn for Tony? Is that why he jumps off the bridge? Not only because he is being forced into marriage to a girl he doesn't love, Italians bound by the strict Catholic code. There’s talk of abortion, there’s suicide, but no gay representation, surprisingly when one thinks of disco queens and clubbing in that era. “Have I seen you some place? Yes, that’s why I don't go there anymore.” Brooklyn accents sound authentic. It’s a macho world, and girls are either nice or bitches, in other words easy lays. Poor Annette in love with Tony is sidelined and decides to become available to whoever will have her. She is moving on, and the prize money would be useful. He wants to win the disco dance competition.Īnd he finds the perfect partner in the independent Stephanie. His gang of cronies admire him, girls fall for him, especially Annette (Jasmin Colangelo), but he’s not interested. Tony Manero, hardware store worker with a bully of an out-of-work father, a downtrodden religious mother and a brother Frank (Marios Nicolaides) who is leaving the priesthood, lives for his Saturday night disco when he can shed all that and strut his stuff. In the Heights comes to mind, but so does West Side Story in the briefest of moments of gang rivalry. Olive Fines is more than a match for him as the standoffish Stephanie Mangano, desperate to climb from the depths of Brooklyn to the heights of Manhattan. His acting and singing aren’t bad either. Maybe a bit long in the tooth for a nineteen-year-old, but his dancing credentials are great, and he has that bouncing, cock of the yard Travolta walk off pat, the swagger all hips and thrusting pelvis. Richard Winsor, a Matthew Bourne alumnus-I’ve admired him in most of the productions, Swan Lake, Dorian Gray, Car Man, Play Without Words, Midnight Bell-but it’s his role in Streetdance 3D that must have clinched his casting suitability here.
Profile view, bum view, and when Tony Manero does up his flies, well.
The loudest cheers and wolf whistles are for the donning of that white suit, preening in front of an imaginary mirror, us. There is dancing in the aisles-how could there not be to the infectious disco beats-people jiggle in their seats, sing, cheer, wear disco gear (merchandise on sale includes red glitter trilbies and feather boas). There’s life in it still post-COVID, though the theatre is far from full. There have been revivals and touring productions.
From the adult-rated 1977 film comes a jukebox feel-goodish stage version, which has been through various permutations since 1998 when Robert Stigwood, inevitably, saw its stage potential.
Ehrlich and Rac Clark are the executive producers, Ron Basile is the producer, and David Wild is the writer.Saturday Night Fever’s disco drama seems to be immortal, being constantly given the kiss of life in musical theatre. Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. I Just Want To Be Your Everything-Nick Jonas.More Than A Woman-Jason Derulo & Tavares.Islands In The Stream-Kelsea Ballerini & Thomas Rhett.How Can You Mend A Broken Heart-John Legend & Stevie Wonder.Medley: Stayin’ Alive, Tragedy How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever -Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town, Andra Day.Following is the list of performances included in Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees: The memorable tribute special also features appearances by Cynthia Erivo, John Travolta, and Wilmer Valderrama. Seven-time GRAMMY winner and Bee Gees co-founder Barry Gibb performs a selection of hits from Saturday Night Fever-Soundtrack, which won Album Of The Year at the 21st Annual GRAMMY Awards and was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2004.