Review: Not so Dirty DIRTY DANCING Energizes Stage at Fisher Theatre thru Nov 1

Prepare to be wowed by a fun, energetic jukebox musical, "DIRTY DANCING" now on stage at the beautiful Fisher Theatre in Detroit. This show is a live adaptation of the 1987 film, and was written by the same playwright Eleanor Bergstein; it focuses on civil rights, Vietnam, and class conflict. However, I believe this production promotes form over substance: let's hear it for the killer dancing, killer singing, killer songs and killer acting. It's hard to feel sorry for the economic disparity of a young man from the wrong side of the tracks when he takes off his clothes and he is a 100% ripped stud.

I saw nothing dirty about "DIRTY DANCING" despite some customer reviews denouncing it as a two hour sequence of grinding and groping. I thought the choreography was spectacular. Of course, it's not the Rockettes in stiff regiment - it is the story of young people attracted to each other. I've been there. I get it.

Christopher Tierney stars as Johnny Castle, a poor stud who clearly won the genetic lottery. Muscular, agile and handsome, he is dancing eye candy as he effortlessly leads Gillian Abbott as Baby. Baby is the brainier of two sisters; the other is clotheshorse Lisa, played by Alex Scolari. Jenny Winton plays Penny, the hotter than fire dancer who gets into trouble and is rescued by Baby. Jennlee Shallow and Doug Carpenter are killer vocalists who will knock your socks off. Special effects give the surreal illusion that Johnny and Baby are practicing their moves in the lake and around the Catskill Mountains.

I've never seen the film, so I can't judge how close the stage version comes to the Patrick Swayze one. I can tell you if you admire great talent, you will find it in abundance in "DIRTY DANCING."

Tickets for Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage range from $39 - $95 (includes parking and facility fees) and are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, online at www.broadwayindetroit.com or www.ticketmaster.com, and at the Fisher Theatre box office.

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