2008 Woodie Awards
'Movin' Out' Moves Into Audience's Minds and Hearts
Leann Lucero
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Arts&Entertainment
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Movin' Out at the Pantages in Hollywood is a dazzling operetta.
As the curtain rises, the entire company rushes onto stage and leaps into action, while an excellent 10-piece band situated above the stage begins to play "It's still Rock and Roll to Me."
During this overture, the cast introduces themselves with tough looking guys, girls wriggling their hips, and of course, a beautiful red Mustang convertible that screams youth and sex appeal.
The company is lead by Eddie, (played by Ron Todoroski), and his young friends Brenda, Tony and Judy.
Although Movin' Out is instantly entertaining, one might still wonder what to expect from this operetta based on the music of singer/composer Billy Joel and conceived by Twyla Tharp.
However, Tharp's energized choreography paired with Joel's most beloved songs, set to the backdrop of the '60s and '70s, quickly puts all doubts to rest.
Though the choreography and the musical score stand on their own, they're enhanced by Santo Loquasto's set design which creates a stark but poetic touch that perfectly complements the lurid lighting design of Donald Holder.
Suzy Bezinger's costumes reflect with vibrant brilliance, the changing times of the four friends.
Movin' Out chronicles the lives of these young people as they move on from high school, struggle through the trials of Vietnam War, drugs and trying to stay together.
Soon after the show begins, Eddie and Brenda, played by Holly Cruikshank, break up to the strains of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
James (Mathew Dibble) and Judy (Julieta Gros) are also a couple, but their love proves more steadfast than that of the others.
Just when the audience is getting comfortable with the dynamic of the closely-knit group, the male characters are sent off to war.
One of them does not make it back home, and the surviving friends are left to bear the burden of heartbreak.
One of the more beautifully constructed dance sequences is performed by the graceful Gros, who, along with the ensemble, performs a ballet to "The Stranger." The sheer intensity of this scene moved many watchers to tears.
As the curtain rises, the entire company rushes onto stage and leaps into action, while an excellent 10-piece band situated above the stage begins to play "It's still Rock and Roll to Me."
During this overture, the cast introduces themselves with tough looking guys, girls wriggling their hips, and of course, a beautiful red Mustang convertible that screams youth and sex appeal.
The company is lead by Eddie, (played by Ron Todoroski), and his young friends Brenda, Tony and Judy.
Although Movin' Out is instantly entertaining, one might still wonder what to expect from this operetta based on the music of singer/composer Billy Joel and conceived by Twyla Tharp.
However, Tharp's energized choreography paired with Joel's most beloved songs, set to the backdrop of the '60s and '70s, quickly puts all doubts to rest.
Though the choreography and the musical score stand on their own, they're enhanced by Santo Loquasto's set design which creates a stark but poetic touch that perfectly complements the lurid lighting design of Donald Holder.
Suzy Bezinger's costumes reflect with vibrant brilliance, the changing times of the four friends.
Movin' Out chronicles the lives of these young people as they move on from high school, struggle through the trials of Vietnam War, drugs and trying to stay together.
Soon after the show begins, Eddie and Brenda, played by Holly Cruikshank, break up to the strains of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
James (Mathew Dibble) and Judy (Julieta Gros) are also a couple, but their love proves more steadfast than that of the others.
Just when the audience is getting comfortable with the dynamic of the closely-knit group, the male characters are sent off to war.
One of them does not make it back home, and the surviving friends are left to bear the burden of heartbreak.
One of the more beautifully constructed dance sequences is performed by the graceful Gros, who, along with the ensemble, performs a ballet to "The Stranger." The sheer intensity of this scene moved many watchers to tears.