CurtainUp Gives 'Bring In Da Noise, Bring In 'Da
Funk A Six-Month Checkup
'Da critics spoke and declared 'Bring In Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk an unqualified success, a
ground breaking musical. Last April 'Da Funk tapped its way uptown to the
Ambassador Theater on Broadway without
losing 'Da Beat. 'Da uptown crowd joined 'Da funky guys and girls in stopping each number with
whoops and hollers and hand claps after each number. Curtainup was just getting of the ground so we're taking a critical look six months after that much praised opening.
Is the audience and cast were still riding high on the initial wave of
enthusiasm.
The answer is a resounding Yes.
'Bring In Da Noise,
Bring In 'Da Funk and its cast, (intact except
for a few minor changes), is as fresh as if the show had opened yesterday. Savion Glover is as fantastically inventive
as ever. And so are Jeffrey Wright, drummers Raymond King and Jared Crawford and the rest of
the amazing nine--which includes superwoman Ann Duquesnay as all 'Da funky women.
If I had to recommend one show for moms and dads and grandparents to give the kids in their
lives a genuine Broadway experience, 'Bring In Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk
would get my numero uno vote for
all except the smallest of small fry. No ersatz movie/tv experience but theater as theater should
be: original,
uplifting, relevant and, of course, fun. Mind you though, this is not a kids' show. It's an
everybody show and everybody should have a chance to se it.
Like Chorus Line which also
started out downtown at the Public Theater, 'Bring In Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk
has changed
people's notions about what a contemporary musical can and should be. It's too soon to predict
whether it will enjoy a fifteen-year Broadway run as that show did or how many more millions
will see it as a
touring company production. The only safe bet is that in fifteen years Savion will be pushing on
towards his fortieth
birthday. No doubt he'll make way for another talented performer and, like
Director/Producer /Mr.ShowBiz, George C. Wolfe, will continue to soar in many creative
directions--always keeping 'da beat.
©right October 1996 and may not be
reproduced in any form or any medium without express permission from Elyse
Sommer,CurtainUp.
(esommer@curtainup.com).