REVIEW: "Movin' Out"

A Review

An Exhilarating State of Mind

By R. J. Donovan

Some opening nights are fun. Some are disappointing. And some are just plain exhilarating. "Movin' Out" was just that.

Word that Billy Joel would be attending the opening night performance of the show that celebrates his music drew crowds outside the Colonial Theatre. Inside, when he finally made it down the aisle to his seat, the entire theatre stood and cheered his appearance -- orchestra, mezzanine and balcony -- all on their feet applauding. And this was before even one note of music had been played.

For the next two hours, it only got better.

"Movin' Out" is choreographer Twyla Tharp's vivid celebration of Joel's music, an evening that chronicles 26 of his songs to tell the story of five friends over two turbulent decades. It's not exactly a musical. And it's not just a dance concert. It's an experience.

The dancers, members of some of the most renowned dance companies from around the world, are nothing short of phenomenal. And sitting high above the stage is the band, led (on Thursday) by outstanding vocalist and musician Darren Holden (left) -- an exceptionally talented guy who plays piano and sings for the entire evening -- two-plus hours. He was as sharp and crystal clear at the finale as he was during the opening night.

The key here is collaboration. Twyla Tharp has used dance to transform and internalize Joel’s music. The athletic dancers then connect with the audience through physical movement while Holden connects vocally. The effect is explosive.

Beginning with “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” the setting is Long Island in the 60s. Brenda and Eddie have been in love, but it’s over. Their friends James and Judy are experiencing the real thing, with marriage on the horizon. Tony is the fifth friend, and he soon hooks up with Brenda after she parts with Eddie.

Vietnam looms and the three guys go off to war. Only Eddie and Tony return. They try to pick up their lives, but Tony can’t reconnect with Brenda as they have both been unfaithful. Eddie, meanwhile, is consumed by drugs, guilt and his own demons. However, all is corrected by the finale as Eddie, having straightened himself out, winds up back with Brenda.

Without exception, the company of dancers is just wonderful. As Brenda, the tall and lithe Holly Cruikshank is a knock-out. Starting out as the homecoming queen, she soon becomes a woman under her own influence. David Gomez (left with Cruikshank) is smooth and sexy as Tony. And Ron Todorowski is positively breathtaking as Eddie. His dancing seems to defy gravity again and again.

Matthew Dibble is a sweet James, totally smitten with Judy, danced by Julieta Gros. (Based on the demands of the show, there are two sets of alternating dancers for each of the leading roles as well as the lead vocalist.)

It’s hard to single out individual segments as there’s not a slow spot during the night. However, “Just The Way You Are” conveyed the ballet-like romance of James and Judy beautifully, “Uptown Girl” was dazzling and “We Didn’t Start The Fire” moved the boys into battle. The end of the first act is also particularly powerful as Judy is left the grieving widow while all around her are reunited with their loved ones.

Substance abuse is covered in “Captain Jack,” “Goodnight Saigon” is riveting, and Eddie finally finds redemption in a medley of “River of Dreams,” “Keeping The Faith” and “Only The Good Die Young.”

Adding mightily to the effect of all of this is Donald Holder’s dynamic lighting, which ranges from whirling blasts of color to barren black and white.

While “Mamma Mia” took ABBA’s songs and hammered them into a bubble-gummy evening of tinsel, “Movin' Out” has the emotional backbone to give a credible beginning, middle and end to the passionate story of five people who have been living in Billy Joel’s music for years.

"Movin' Out " is at The Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston Street in Boston, through April 10. For information, call 617-931-2787.

--Production Photos: Joan Marcus

-- OnStage Boston

3/5/04

			A Review An Exhilarating State of Mind By R. J. Donovan Some opening nights are fun. Some are disappointing. And some are just plain exhilarating. "Movin' Out" was just that. Word that Billy Joel would be attending the opening night performance of the show that celebrates his music drew crowds outside the Colonial Theatre. Inside, when he finally made it down the aisle to his seat, the entire theatre stood and cheered his appearance -- orchestra, mezzanine and balcony -- all on their feet applauding. And this was before even one note of music had been played. For the next two hours, it only got better. "Movin' Out" is choreographer Twyla Tharp's vivid celebration of Joel's music, an evening that chronicles 26 of his songs to tell the story of five friends over two turbulent decades. It's not exactly a musical. And it's not just a dance concert. It's an experience. The dancers, members of some of the most renowned dance companies from around the world, are nothing short of phenomenal. And sitting high above the stage is the band, led (on Thursday) by outstanding vocalist and musician Darren Holden (left) -- an exceptionally talented guy who plays piano and sings for the entire evening -- two-plus hours. He was as sharp and crystal clear at the finale as he was during the opening night. The key here is collaboration. Twyla Tharp has used dance to transform and internalize Joel’s music. The athletic dancers then connect with the audience through physical movement while Holden connects vocally. The effect is explosive. Beginning with “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” the setting is Long Island in the 60s. Brenda and Eddie have been in love, but it’s over. Their friends James and Judy are experiencing the real thing, with marriage on the horizon. Tony is the fifth friend, and he soon hooks up with Brenda after she parts with Eddie. Vietnam looms and the three guys go off to war. Only Eddie and Tony return. They try to pick up their lives, but Tony can’t reconnect with Brenda as they have both been unfaithful. Eddie, meanwhile, is consumed by drugs, guilt and his own demons. However, all is corrected by the finale as Eddie, having straightened himself out, winds up back with Brenda. Without exception, the company of dancers is just wonderful. As Brenda, the tall and lithe Holly Cruikshank is a knock-out. Starting out as the homecoming queen, she soon becomes a woman under her own influence. David Gomez (left with Cruikshank) is smooth and sexy as Tony. And Ron Todorowski is positively breathtaking as Eddie. His dancing seems to defy gravity again and again. Matthew Dibble is a sweet James, totally smitten with Judy, danced by Julieta Gros. (Based on the demands of the show, there are two sets of alternating dancers for each of the leading roles as well as the lead vocalist.) It’s hard to single out individual segments as there’s not a slow spot during the night. However, “Just The Way You Are” conveyed the ballet-like romance of James and Judy beautifully, “Uptown Girl” was dazzling and “We Didn’t Start The Fire” moved the boys into battle. The end of the first act is also particularly powerful as Judy is left the grieving widow while all around her are reunited with their loved ones. Substance abuse is covered in “Captain Jack,” “Goodnight Saigon” is riveting, and Eddie finally finds redemption in a medley of “River of Dreams,” “Keeping The Faith” and “Only The Good Die Young.” Adding mightily to the effect of all of this is Donald Holder’s dynamic lighting, which ranges from whirling blasts of color to barren black and white. While “Mamma Mia” took ABBA’s songs and hammered them into a bubble-gummy evening of tinsel, “Movin' Out” has the emotional backbone to give a credible beginning, middle and end to the passionate story of five people who have been living in Billy Joel’s music for years. "Movin' Out " is at The Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston Street in Boston, through April 10. For information, call 617-931-2787. --Production Photos: Joan Marcus -- OnStage Boston 3/5/04

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