Sun. June 25, 2006
By John Olson
Whether Movin' Out's return to Chicago, where it was poorly received in its 2002 pre-Broadway run, is an opportunity for Twyla Tharp's show or for Chicago to redeem themselves is a question on which I can't weigh in, not having seen the show in any other incarnation. Regardless, the touring production is an exciting crossover piece of music and dance (I'm enough of a purist not to call it musical theater) that rocks the big Auditorium Theatre with the songs of Billy Joel and surely must well represent the show that ran for over three years on Broadway after being retooled following its first Chicago engagement.
Two of the original cast leads (Tony nominees Keith Roberts and Elizabeth Parkinson as Tony and Brenda) are on the tour and they are more than complemented by Rasta Thomas in the lead role of Eddie, for which he was a replacement understudy on Broadway. Thomas is electrifying: not only as a dancer, but also in his naturalistic physical acting. He conveys Eddie's deep emotional journey and moves seamlessly between movement and dance, capturing the character's journey from cocky teenage Lothario to survivor-guilt ridden Vietnam vet. As on Broadway, the leads are double-cast: the alternate leads I missed are Stuart Capps (Tony), Laurie Kanyok (Brenda), and Cody Green (Eddie). Both casts are well supported by Laura Feig as Judy and Troy Edward Bowles as James.
Hopefully, Movin' Out will live beyond its current status as a Broadway and touring property and become a standard piece of dance repertoire, serving as a reminder of the costs of war for future generations.
Movin' Out plays the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, 50 East Congress Parkway) through July 9th, 2006, with performances Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and matinees Saturday and Sunday a 2 p.m. For ticket information visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com. For information on the national tour, visit movingout.uvision.net/tour.
Photo (above): Darren Holden, by Joan Marcus
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