Goldstar

• Rated 2.0
• Written on May 18 2009

I carried a watermelon?!?

Thanks to http://www.goldstar.com, I was able to score $25.00 tickets (this includes tax & service charges) to Friday night's performance of Dirty Dancing at The Pantages. I'm glad I didn't pay more than that.

Perhaps I built it up too much. Dirty Dancing has been one of my favorite movies since 6th grade. Along with most women in the 25-50 demographic, I can quote the entire script verbatim. Maybe I've been spoiled by the likes of Miss Saigon, Hairspray and Wicked. Maybe I've turned into a person who can't simply sit and enjoy a show without picking it apart for the sake of an on-line review. But anyway you cut it, this show just didn't do it for me.

If my rating was based on the sets alone, 5 stars. With the use of several hydraulic platforms and a huge wraparound projection screen, I truly felt as if I were at Kellerman's. But with no original thought (or original songs) written into it, I might as well have been watching a dvd of Swayze and Grey in the comfort of my own home.

Some stand out performances were Britta Lazenga as Penny, the leggy knocked up blonde dancer and Katlyn Carlson as Lisa, Baby's sister. Josef Brown definitely looks the part as a ripped and tanned Johnny Castle, but honey you need to work on your American accent big time. I knew you were from Australia before I read your bio in the program. And so did everybody else who saw the show. Very distracting.

The audience twittered in anticipation for the infamous final dance number, and the company of dancers didn't disappoint. With disco balls twinkling and "I've Had the Time of My Life" blaring, I finally felt my shoulders start to shimmy and the crowd began to buzz. Unfortunately, I had already drawn my conclusions at that point. Too little, too late. I'm saving my energy for Legally Blonde in August.

• Rated 3.0
• Written on May 25 2009

I took my 14-year-old to see “Dirty Dancing” and we both had a good time. The leads were both sharp, but the actor who played Johnny (Josef Brown) was a challenge to understand here and there. His physical resemblance to the film version’s Patrick Swayze is remarkable and he can certainly dance with the best of them. The actress playing Baby (Amanda Leigh Cobb) was very appealing and does a fine job transforming herself from unassuming daughter to a confident, equal to Johnny.

I was quite impressed with the sets. The stage evolved often and always cleverly, even to transforming the stage into virtual lake which allowed the principles to go swimming – without getting wet! It was a wonderful effect that the audience really enjoyed. The innovative lighting and filmed movie backgrounds also worked very well.

The other performers were all very good, notably Michael W. Howell, who played Tito, a wizened band leader, and the amazing Britta Lazenga, who played Johnny’s former dance partner, Penny. Lazenga has it all – the looks, the legs, and incredible stage presence in this role. She’s a superb dancer, precise and energetic -- she has a huge career ahead of her. A true revelation, in many ways, Lazenga really steals the show.

The Pantages is a beautiful venue, a paradise amidst considering the sometimes sketchy Hollywood Boulevard surroundings. The art deco interiors are a sight to behold. One quibble about the Pantages – the seating was certainly not designed for a tall person, such as myself. Although compared with the cramped knees-in-your-chest seating at downtown’s Orpheum Theater, I was able to manage. Parking is $10 in most adjacent lots and we had no trouble getting our will-call tickets. We came on a Sunday about 1 hour ahead of time, which turned out to be more than enough time to get the tickets and get inside. But it gave us time to take some photos, marvel at the gilded architecture and buy a 6 oz. bag of Sour Gummy Bears for $4.50.

All in all, we had a nice evening – thanks Goldstar!

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Jun 01 2009

This was one of the best productions I have ever seen since I have joined Goldstar! Not only were my seats great, I was absolutely AMAZED at the visual effects of the presentation. The play stayed very close to the movie, and it was EXCITING, FUN, and brought back the great feelings I remembered when I first saw the movie so many years ago. What a great job! I would go again.