The Pant Gallery

Stayin' Alive

Detroit's Masonic Temple Theatre hosts
"Saturday Night Fever The Musical,
the stage version of the film classic.

AUDREY BECKER

Special to the Jewish News

S

aturday Night Fever is one of

important, because unless they believe
it, the audience isn't going to believe
it. They inhabit these characters beau-
tifully. They do a great job."
Although some remember the film
as being lighthearted — fluffy, even —
Platt reminds us that the story is grit-
tier than people recall. It examines, in
part, the seamier side of the disco era.
But the Broadway musical empha-
sizes the dancing and excitement.

those films that has become
more than a movie; its a cul-
tural reference point.
The indelible image, of course, is
that of John Travolta in a spotless
white suit, with finger pointed high
in zealous acknowledgement of the tri-
umph of — what else? —disco.
The film, produced by
Robert Stigwood, was released
in 1977, the same year that saw
the death of Elvis Presley, and
Gave momentum to a gr b owing b
b
epidemic of disco fever.
Now, with Broadway seeking
to entice audiences with adapta-
tions of already popular works,
Saturday Night Fever, too, has
made its way to the stage.
The story is that of Tony
Manero, an aimless paint-store
clerk who escapes from family
tensions and the tedium of the
workweek by dancing passion-
ately. A regular at the local dis-
cotheque, Tony begins to see
disco dancing as a way to leave
behind the working class envi-
ronment in which he was raised. Richard H Blake stars as Tony Manero in
The story focuses on an
"Saturday Night Fever — The Musical."
Italian family, but its themes
are more universal, says Jon B. Platt,
"I think people want to go out and
who is Jewish and co-producing the
have a good time. And the score cer-
musical with Stigwood. "To a large
tainly can't be beat. There are more Top
extent, it's about an immigrant family
10 hits in this show than in any other
and the dreams that immigrants have."
in history," says Platt, whose producing
One of the interesting challenges in
credits include the Tony Award-win-
turning the well-known film into a
ning Angels in America and national
stage
tours of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and
b musical was integrating
n
n the songs
b
into the story, says Platt. No longer
Fiddler on the Roof. Platt received Tony
just a part of the soundtrack,, the clas-
Award nominations for his productions
sic Bee Gees tunes are sung by the
of The Diary of Anne Frank, Damn
characters. The familiar pop songs have Yankees and Hello, Dolly. ❑
been reconceived and re-orchestrated.
For many of the younger performers
— many of the actors, singers and
Saturday Night Fever comes to the
dancers are from the original
Masonic Temple Theatre 8 p.m.
Broadway cast — the musical captures
Tuesdays- Saturdays and 7:30 p.m.
an era that was well before their time.
Sundays, with 2 p.m. matinees
"They don't come to it with any
Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 30-
preconceived notions," says Platt.
Nov 18. $27.50-$67.50. (313)
"They see it as a theater piece unto
832-2232 or (248) 645-6666.

itself, and perform it as such, which is

You're invited to an exhibit of

paintings by Italian artist RN
Potiullsi and Detroit artist Claudia Shepard featuring life-size can-
vases of stylish dresses.

Also featured, fashions created

talented designers from

by IS

Wayne State University's School of Fashion and Merchandising.

Jain us for an hors d' oeuvres reception of meet Claudia and the fash-
ion designers.

A silent auction of handbags created ay artists will benefit

"L'Abito Rosso" oil on canvas 29" x 68"

Rita PeduiN

American Autoirntnune Related pinata.

Thursday, Namandratt, 7-9 PM

October IS - December 1, 2001

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