MSU delivered this fun fairy tale of sexual open-mindedness and feminism with an exuberant style all its own. Like the popular “Hairspray,” it wraps a serious message of challenging the status quo and promoting acceptance and love into a fun bundle of humor and pop songs. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” - “We Got the Beat”… I guess you can’t “beat” these two shows.
This spoof of classic theatre is based on "The Arcadia" by Sir Philip Sidney, conceived and original book by Jeff Witty, adapted by James Magruder. It features an oracle (Mel Dyk) a too-macho king (Alex Cousins) a fed-up queen (Katherine Clemons), a devoted maid (Meleah Acuff), and fretful servant (Andrew Brown) two diverse daughters deigning to deny/pursue suitors (Sophie Psiakis and Rachel Vos) and a shepherd who temporarily becomes “one of the girls” (Zach Deande.)
The entire cast was talented and energetic - enhanced by wild lighting effects (Niklas Calella); fabulous, fairy-tale, Elizabethan-punk rock costumes, and amazing choreography. No surprise, as Director Brad Wilcuts is a noted choreographer, and was assisted by Sloan Lemberg and Jake Gerard Price. Dave Wendelberger led a five piece band that really rocked the house.
Note that this show is tastefully bawdy, and also lesbian-positive… which might deter some from bringing young children or conservative adults. The iconic 80’s girl-band Go-Go’s music gives it an irrepressible energy.
Tickets for Head over Heels are $23.50 for general admission, $21.50 for MSU faculty and staff and seniors, and $13.50 for students. Tickets are available online at whartoncenter.com, at the Wharton Center box office, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.
Performances continue:
• Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 25, 2022, at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 2 and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, February 27, 2022, at 2 p.m.
For more information on the show and other MSU Department of Theatre productions, visit:https://theatre.msu.edu/productions/21-22/