The wait is over – the anticipated U.S. premiere of FAME The Musical en Espanol is finally here and it is outstanding!
In the opening scenes, students hold unopened letters in their hands as they anxiously ponder if they’ve been accepted into “P.A” the prestigious N.Y School of the Performing Arts, like their lives depend on it. They open the letters en masse, and pandemonium breaks loose. The opening sequence in just a few moments sets the exhilarating tone and message of being part of a community, a wonderfully deliberate directorial decision.
Directors, designers and cast work together seamlessly to portray students making their way through classes and rehearsals, laughing, playing, struggling and jostling each other as they strive to achieve their dreams. They slam through life with ambition, drive and full throttle voices. The pictures from the show give an idea of the high flying choreography – ratchet that up to the ceiling to get an idea of the breathtaking routines, matched by soaring voices that hit the roof.
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The students all have stories to tell as they settle into their future career clusters — actors, Nick, Serena and Joe played by Carlos Salazar, Tanya De Leon and Rafael Beato; dancers – Tyrone, Carmen, Iris and Mabel played by Romainson Romain, Paula Calvo, Amaya Perea and Alana Thomas; and musicians—Schlomo, “Lambchops,” and Goody, played by Juan Luis Espinal, Paloma De Vega and Jon Yepez. All are under the watchful eyes and guidance of their teachers—Ms. Sherman, Ms. Bell, Mr. Meyers and Mr. Sheinkopf (Susan Oliveras, Teresa Quigley Danskey, Imanol Fuentes Garcia, and Brendon Schaefer).
Some vignettes: Nick has already been in commercials but longs for the depth of true artistry, while his scene partner Serena secretly aches for him. Joe, meanwhile, is the class clown who couldn’t find his acting chops on a platter, despite the efforts of Mr. Meyers who casts him as Romeo for the school festival. Fabulous street dancer Tyrone can crush spinning and flipping moves balancing on one hand and choreograph a flash mob to the max but can’t get past Ms. Sherman who discovers he has a reading disability. Between his affection for ballerina Iris and steadfast encouragement from his dance teacher, he adjusts his raw moves and incorporates ballet, but that might not be enough to pass the academic scrutiny of Ms. Sherman, who loves the students like her children, but demands academic achievement along with the thrilling routines. The powerful duet between the teachers Danskey and Oliveras each determined to push the students to their best achievement brings down the house.
FAME The Musical, En Espanol from GALA Hispanic Theatre closes June 9, 2019.
Details and tickets
The musical’s climax belongs to Paula Calvo who give an outstanding performance as Carmen Diaz, the student who is bound and determined to make it big. She plays Carmen in a school production, complete with perfectly authentic flamenco dancers – the works.
So yes, the story lines follow the familiar tale from the earlier versions, but the spectacular performing and cultural flair make it sizzle. Plus, there’s an urgency to the characters’ quests that can be felt in these times of mass deportations. The stakes are high as you can sense they are dancing and singing for their lives.
Watching the students hone their skills in theater and dance over the four years of high school is a master class in the arts. The dance sequences are astounding with Romain as Tyrone resisting ballet attire at first, preferring his hand stands, spins and backbend leaps. But, over time, he learns the importance of earning a partner’s trust as he falls under the spell of gorgeous ballerina Iris and the two display artistry, strength and grace in an exquisite pas de deux. Same with the theater clusters under Mr. Meyers’ careful attention as he goads and pushes the drama students to dig inside themselves and be open and vulnerable to be believable.
Costume designer Robert Croghan assures an urban funk and lighting design by Christopher Annas-Lee pulsates with energy and rhythm, sparkling with excitement then dimming to a menacing glow in tense dark moments. The production includes guest student artists from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and George Mason University as well as a slamming, jamming 9-piece band under the direction of Walter “Bobby” McCoy. The 2-tiered set by scenic designer Clifton Chadick is a wonder of moveable sections that can disconnect along the side or snap together for a full frontal line.
Language isn’t a barrier at all since FAME is comfortably bilingual with the text neatly displayed in surtitles that toggle between English and Spanish with ease.
The director, designer, choreographer and all around powerhouse behind the show, Luis Salgado orchestrated a Spanish version of In The Heights at the GALA two years ago. That one topped the charts with 18 Helen Hayes nominations and 9 awards, with Salgado himself snagging two for directing and choreography. This show will easily match those honors, acclaim, and then some. It’s got the buzz, unstoppable energy, the excitement, and I swear, is not to be missed.
FAME the Musical en Espanol . Conceived and Developed by David De Silva. Book by Jose Fernandez (Cuba). Music by Steve Margoshes. Lyrics by Jacques Levy. Director and Choreographer—Luis Salgado . Book—José Fernández . Cast: Carlos Salazar (Nick), Tanya de Leon (Serena), Rafael Beato (Joe), Romainson Romain (Tyrone), Paula Calvo (Carmen), Amaya Perea (Iris), Alana Thomas (Mabel), Juan Luis Espinal (Schlomo), Paloma De Vega (“Lambchops”), Jon Yepez (“Goody” King), Susan Oliveras (Ms. Sherman), Teresa Quigley Danskey (Ms. Bell), Imanol Fuentes Garcia (Mr. Meyers), Brendon Schaefer (Mr. Sheinkopf); Ensemble members are Julia Klavens, Kramer Kwalik, Bryan Menjivar, Pranjaal Pizarro, Susan Ramirez, Rodolfo Santamarina, Megumi Shimoda, and Patrick Ward, and guest student artists from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and George Mason University; 9-piece band under the direction of Walter “Bobby” McCoy. Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler and Steve Margoshes. Title Song “Fame” Written by Dean Pritchard and Michael Gore. Director and Choreographer: Luis Salgado. Music Director: Walter “Bobby” McCoy. Scenic Design: Clifton Chadick. Costume Design: Robert Croghan. Sound Design: Roc Lee. Lighting Design: Christopher Annas-Lee. Projections: Patrick J. Lord . Properties: Matt Carlin; Stage Manager: Brennan T. Jones. Creative Consultant: Heather Hogan. Production Manager: Tony Koehler. Technical Director: Devin Mahoney. Producer: Hugo Medrano for GALA Hispanic Theatre. Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson.
Debbie,
Your thorough, energetic review is a compelling and convincing argument for not missing this production! And your enthusiasm for the extraordinary dancing, singing and acting as well as the stagecraft is contagious.