By Claire DeMarco
Janey Glenn (Paige Schmella) is accustomed to moving from place to place. Her father Colonel Glenn’s (Marshall Benton) military career takes his family from one location to another.
This time they land in Chicago and Janey is once again enrolled in a new school. Janey is disciplined and controlled but when she meets classmate Lynne Stone (Caroline O’Neil), they soon become great friends.
Lynne is carefree, outgoing and a character. The girls bond even more closely when they both discover their mutual love for Dance TV, a local television show that features live dancing.
And of course, Lynne being the boldest of the two, entices Janey to participate in Dance TV’s recently announced dance contest.
At Dance TV Janey and Lynne meet the other contestants, specifically Jeff Malene (Alejandro Tinnell) and Natalie Sands (Bee Jade Walker).
When Janey and Jeff pair together as the competitive dance team and prepare for the finals, last minute complications affect this dance duo and the outcome of the competition.
Note: This is the world premiere of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun The Musical”. It is based on the 1985 film titled “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”.
The importance of this premiere can be highlighted from some of the information shared in the production’s playbill by Kiesha Lalama, Executive Producer, Pittsburgh Playhouse:
“Through our collaboration with Lively McCabe Entertainment and Primary Wave Music, we are establishing an innovative model for developing new theatrical works, one that places our Conservatory of Performing Arts and the Pittsburgh Playhouse at the very center of the professional creative process.”
“The most extraordinary aspect of this partnership is the groundbreaking opportunity between higher education and the professional entertainment industry.”
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun”. They did and so did the audience. Excellent production!
Photo: Caroline O’Neil, Paige Schmella, Alejandro Tinnell
What a gifted group of actors. The dancing, singing and coordination are superb. Many favorite songs from the 1980’s are part of this exciting production.
Schmella excels as the obedient, disciplined daughter who transitions into someone who becomes fully aware of her abilities and pursues her dreams. She has both excellent dancing skills and vocal chops (like “How Will I Know?”).
Equally outstanding as a dancer and singer, Tinnell is a charming, free spirit who only wants to dance but he also has deep concern for his father. His father’s job hinges on decisions Tinnell must make concerning the dance contest. His vocal of “Somebody’s Baby” is spot on.
O’Neil provides comic relief as Janey’s best friend. Her physical movements, her facial expressions contribute to her characterization of the zany friend. O’Neil and Schmella sing a lovely rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For”.
Overanxious and sometimes overbearing, Benton inserts some comedy into his delivery as he frets (always) about his daughter.
Sands plays the spoiled brat dancer brilliantly. She sashsays around the stage, attempting to intimidate as many people as she can.
Bianca Dixon as Sister Eileen is delightful and funny as the nun who wants to belong to both worlds – one that includes religion but also as a girl who wants to have fun!
Dickson and Lauren Marcus are Co-Book Writers for “Girls Just Like to Have Fun, The Musical”.
Excellent Direction and Choreography by Jennifer Werner whose technical skills contribute to the flow of the production.
Conductor Camille Villalpando Rolla and the orchestra provide excellent accompaniment to the fine-tuned singers and dancers.
Costume Designer Michael Montgomery’s detail and number of the costumes (including big hair wigs) contributed to the success of this production.
-CED
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun The Musical” is a production of Pittsburgh Playhouse Point Park University. Performances run from November 11th to November 22nd at Pittsburgh Playhouse Point Park University, 350 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
For more information, click here
.
