LITTLE ROCK — Those who lived through the 1980s — and the enhanced hair that took over fashions, women, men and hit songs — may be skeptical about embracing a celebration of such an unsavory era. But fear not, in the hands and feet of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s young company of actors and dancers, it’s all good, as the kids say 30 years later.
And not only can these kids sing, they can also dance and do comedy routines.
That ’80s Show: We Built This ‘SMITTY’ on Rock and Roll is evidence that the future is bright for theatrical talent in the Natural State, thanks to Nicole Capri, who wrote and directed the show. And even more impressively, she choreographed the fancy footwork, with a little help from some of her young friends — Samantha Davis, Stacy Hawking, Marisa Kirby and Stephen Stone.
With a cast in the scores — well, 61 — it’s hard to single out individual performers, especially since the program doesn’t list the performers in each number. Some of the better ones were “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “99 Red Balloons,” a “One-Hit Wonder Montage” and “The Living Years.” A “dance-off” where young cast members were matched against parents selected from the audience was a hoot, especially because many of the older folks were able to hold their own performing dances that some of us had never heard of.
The young woman who played the Saturday Night Live character of Church Lady in “Church Chat” has a fine comedy career ahead of her, as do her sidekicks, with the group moving seamlessly from comedy to a quick rap number that also was funny.
At least we can credit the Totally Rad band, dressed as ’80s musicians, who kept things flowing in dramatic fashion: Karen Q. Clark, Jeannie Cross, Brian Wolverton, Pat Lindsey and Tyler Phillips.
The show continues through Nov. 5, with performances at 7 tonight through Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Nov. 2-5, at Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Road. Seating is reserved and tickets range from $25 to $35, with student tickets set at $10. More information is available from (501) 378-0405 or at therep.org
Arkansas, Pages 16 on 10/27/2011