A SWEET TRIP BACK IN TIME
Some shows really make you think. Others are designed to move you to tears. And then there’s miXtape, which is pretty much two full hours of cleverly-performed, good-hearted fun. If that’s beneath you, move on immediately. But if you don’t mind the idea of smiling, laughing, and even catching yourself singing along, then this musical mélange continues to be a great night out − as it has been for fourteen months so far.
Delightfully escapist, miXtape takes us back to the 1980s, before cell phone interruptions and movie downloads, when siblings still taped music off the radio with cassette recorders and the family actually gathered together to watch TV (even the theme songs such as Cheers and Hill Street Blues were a part of our lives). Whether this takes you back to your childhood or just a younger adulthood, miXtape defines an era through its music.
The eight talented singers each play dozens of characters. Ongoing plot is not a priority in this show, but vignettes give these fleeting characters excuses to sing 80s songs back-to-back. Here’s an example: a shy boy has “Too Shy” sung to him until he finally approaches the girl he admires. She immediately launches into Blondie’s “Call Me,” handing him a note that yields his triumphant song-and-dance to the rock classic “Jenny 867-5309.” Silly? Oh, hell, yes. But it is executed with such joy and commitment that we’re completely with him as we enjoy excellent voices and sweet harmonies.
Writers Colleen Kollar Smith and Jon Lorenz often employ monologues along the lines of “What I was doing when this song was playing,” using the lyric’s message to define the character: One rebellious teenager takes strength in Billy Joel’s “My Life” (forgivably credited to the 80s because of its resurgence as the Bosom Buddies theme song); another boy recounts his first moment of romantic love when Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” is played at his prom.
The show cleverly explores all the options between imitation and interpretation, giving us outright impressions of some classic acts, interesting reworks of others, and clever new mash-ups of 80s hits. miXtape revels in plenty of schtick to hold our attention in a show that includes excerpts from well over a hundred songs. Period costumes and big hair are plentiful (courtesy of Jemina Dutra), dancing is sharp, and both the physical and verbal humor keep on coming. The audience is almost part of the show as excited attendees cheer for songs they recognize and even sing along with choruses.
Within the fun, Smith and Lorenz judiciously insert two poignant scenes: we visit a classroom of children who have just watched the Challenger explosion and, later, a teen reacts to seeing the AIDS quilt as Sting’s “King of Pain” resonates behind her. The creators are to be commended for both allowing the show to breathe and for sensitively handling some of the horrors of that decade within a feel-good show.
There were no weak links in the multi-talented cast, although it is interesting to note that two powerful ballads stood out in a show of primarily upbeat music: Leonard Patton’s moving interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s “Your Eyes” and Joy Yandell’s soulful rendition of the Nine Inch Nails song “Head Like A Hole.”
Originally scheduled last year for a six week run, this delightful break from today’s hyper-connected life has just been extended yet again to eighteen months. Like anything Lamb’s Players produces, it’s family friendly, but this one is even better for a group of friends. Especially if you ever had a Duran Duran poster on your wall.
photos by J.T. MacMillan
miXtape
Lamb’s Players Theatre
Horton Grand Theater, 444 4th Ave
EXTENDED through September 29, 2013
REMOUNT now playing and extended through November 22, 2015
for tickets, visit lambsplayers.org