THE MONKEY KING is a wild hour-and-fifteen-minute Chinese fairy tale that unleashes “Freshman Power” in a devised performance in the MSU Arena. The place was packed, both onstage (30-plus actors) and in the sold-out audience, with fans whooping at the wild combat choreography and some modern humor overlaid on a centuries-old story of a Buddhist journey to enlightenment; many students also participated on the “script team” to create this play. 

This “world premiere devised performance” was written as part of MSU’s “Year of China,” meant to deepen cultural awareness and inclusion. This is a new version of “Journey to the West,” one of China’s best known pieces of classic literature. (Check out the “Dramaturg” notes for more info on the origins.) 

It was beautifully directed and choreographed with impressive stage combat. Director Deric McNish mentioned a name, I want to say Jennifer Jacobs, but I could be wrong… as Combat-Mentor, whose name was left out of the program; sorry if I got that wrong. Choreography was Brad Willcuts. Sound, much of it generated by the cast itself surrounding the stage with drums and other vocal/body-made sounds added to the energy. (Grant Cleaveland, Emma Klatt, Lee Jones listed for sound design.)

The two Monkey Kings (young and older) Evan Phillips and Evan Houdek were fired up and energized the entire stage. They embodied a rebellious ambition as they made the quest along with the Pig and the Fish and the Jade Emperor whose stories intertwined as all searched for enlightenment despite demons and twirling battle sticks.

The Monkey King runs through December 6 in the Arena; buy tickets at the box office (Farm Lane side of the Auditorium Building, corner of Auditorium and Farm Lane) and go downstairs for the show. Dress in layers, since it is a bit warm in the Arena, especially when it’s full.)
Friday, December 4, 2015 at 8:00pm
Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 2:00pm
Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 2:00pm
*   Director Pre-Show Discussion, Sunday, December 6, 2015, 1:15.
 
Tickets are also available from the Wharton Center Box Office; 1.800.WHARTON; www.whartoncenter.com.
Box office at the Arena Theatreopens 1 hour prior to each performance with house doors opening 30 minutes prior. General Admission $13. Seniors and Faculty $11. Students $10.

Dirty Dancing is another Wharton Center Broadaway hit — showcasing triumphant, acrobatically “dirty" dancing set against the backdrop of 1963 and the civil rights movement. The story draws parallels between race prejudice and socioeconomic prejudice, as “Baby” meets sexy dance instructor ”Johnny”  from “the wrong side of the tracks” at a fancy Catskills resort. The 1987 movie was a huge box office hit, so this show brings nostalgia for the early 60’s through an 80’s lens. The beautiful projections on the versatile, slatted-panel set enable seamless, realistic, yet fantastical changes of scene that keep the story flowing from amazing dance to amazing dance.

Leads Christopher Tierney and Gillian Abbott are wonderful dancers and bring these iconic characters to life. Jenny Winton, as “Penny” was also a sensational dancer. Much of the music is background, and the plot is NOT advanced through song, as with traditional musicals. The music is there for the dancing — and to bring us back to 1963 with such hits as “This Magic Moment” “Do You Love Me?" "Duke of Earl"… and more. Two great singers are featured: Jennlee Shallow — and I’m not entirely sure who the powerful guy singer was. He sang “In the Still of the Night” and others… but that song is not listed, possibly John Antony…(But he also kind of looked like Sean Rozanski?). Anyway, ALL were terrific dancers and these singers were double threats.

This beautiful piece of nostalgia will bring back the thrills, and some of the tribulations, of 1963, which echo in our culture yet today. It continues through November 15, with two shows on Saturday and Sunday

www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/dirty-dancing

If “Jersey Boys – the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons” - were just a jukebox musical, like so many of them are, it would not have been running in New York since 2005 and London since 2009. Although this show features nearly three dozen songs which you probably know, its heart is the rags-to-riches and back again true story of four guys from New Jersey who hit it big in the music business in the early1960’s – a classic American success story, except of course for the criminal element. But hey, whadaya expect?

To be truly successful, a show like this needs four powerhouse leads – and they are indeed here: Aaron DeJesus as Frankie, the short guy with the killer falsetto; Matthew Dailey as Tommy, the unredeemable bad boy; Keith Hines as Nick, the strong, silent one; and Drew Seeley as Bob Gaudio, the musical genius behind the group’s ultimate success. All are top-notch.

The songs are presented well but crisply, enough to satisfy but also leave you wanting more. And enough to give you an “ohhhh” moment when you remember when you first heard it. There isn’t exactly dancing, but a lot of what must be called arm choreography which perfectly complements the songs.

The genius of “Jersey Boys” is that since most of the Boys have a significant ego, they want to tell things their way, and they do. This provides a Rashomon effect, such that you yourself have to decide in some cases how things actually happened.

The lights and sound are dazzlingly effective, the set spare and efficient; and the costumes are perfect for the era – and serve as a reminder that once upon a time, pop music groups actually wore suits! (Now, of course, after punk, funk and grunge, they seem to be moving back in that direction.)

We should give a brief nod to the “glamorous life” of a touring show: this company started last month in Utica, New York and ends up in Orlando next June after 27 stops, usually with only a day or two in between engagements. In this instance, they left Atlanta after the Sunday matinee and opened in East Lansing just two days later, with enough performance energy to blow everyone out of their seats. Let’s hear it for the “Boys”!

Thanks to “guest reviewer” Tom Klunzinger. (Mark and I had Nuncrackers rehearsal for Starlight Dinner Theatre. Mark your calendars November 6-15!)

Jersey Boys continues through Sunday at Wharton Center

www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/jersey-boys