Reviewed by Chris Cassone
cc@chriscassone.com
"Adanza" means dance in Spanish, journey in Italian and according to their promotional material, a musical circus, with the addition of
juggling, unicycles, breakdancing, flipping, animation, bubbles, glow sticks, drumming, aerial artists, and audience participation. Whatever I experienced, it was new and exciting. They advertise for ages six and above. We had young children in the audience who all seemed to be enthralled.
The show is ninety minutes and composed of about twenty-five vignettes that loosely follow a couple in search of themselves, of love and of adventure. They travel around the world in this search, singing and dancing their way through each identifiable country. The big screen behind them often gave us a clue, sometimes offered interaction with the cast and other times was an abstract backdrop of moving, colorful images.
Adnaza didn't have a fixed dialogue, no story line where actors had memorized lines. The words were in the lyrics of the songs, and these were strong power ballads, hip hop numbers, some rock and even a Flamenco number that had an honest-to-God tablao (wood plank) upon which their dancer tapped.
One consistency was the singing and dancing, at which the troupe excelled. Most of the arrangements had numerous voices in harmony, in unison and in counterpoint. Since the singing was the only clue to the story, I wish the vocals were mixed a little louder than the backing track, which was perfect. The vocals got a bit lost, and I really wanted to hear the details.
No matter because there was nothing to let you get bored. Scenes were changing constantly, actors were also flying around the complex, entering from stage left, running off through audience right. And did I mention the props?
Bubbles, lots of bubbles. Little bubble machines, big bubble makers. And monster bubble creations, all managed by Bubble PhD., Jilbér Ferri. Add to the bubbles a backdrop of bubbles and you get the picture. We're talking a lot of bubbles here.
And throughout the show we were treated to scene-connecting solo cello by Jennifer Chun who sat at the edge of the proscenium playing walk-in solo pieces. Her peaceful, dulcet tones gave an enjoyable bridge from scene to scene.
I would love to give credit everywhere but there were no identifiable roles besides "the boy" and "the girl" (remember "The Fantastiks"?) played by Alex Honorato and Bella Hamm. Aerialist Sharyn Scott was accomplished on the aerial hoop and silks. And you can't miss the twelve-foot-high stilt-walker, Christopher Yates, who doubled as a juggler of clubs and the diabolo.
Keeping heads on straight backstage, where the scene changes had to be a flurry of people, clothes, makeup, and accessories, was the show's co-writer, Brooke Ferri. Together with her husband Jilbér and their ticket-taking son in the lobby, they are the driving forces behind this extravaganza. I can see this show taking Vegas by storm, much the way Blue Man Group and Cirque de Soleil did.
Pure family entertainment, very reminiscent of (dating myself) Up with People in the 60's. Not the political side but the feel-good, life is good, keep smiling side. This show did have us on the edge of our seats, easily twenty-five times. Only here until April 5.
Adanza runs at Eastwood Performing Arts Center, 1089 N. Oxford Ave, LA 90029. (Free parking in the on-site theatre lot).
Final performances Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. The show runs 90 minutes plus.but surprisingly the kids were quiet and paying attention to the very end.
R.S.V.P. to Susan Gordon: sgordon823@gmail.com or go to
https://www.adanzamusical.com/
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
What a journey! This show has something special in it for kids from 2 to 99 years old. In this new interpretation, the musical theatre has been enriched with many additional elements that fit perfectly together.
Adanza takes us on a true, long journey through many countries in search of fun, joy, and happiness. 'The hero travels the world finding inspiration everywhere he goes and ultimately learns that it's never too late to be the person he was always meant to be.' Composed and produced by songwriter Brooke Ferri and singer and songwriter Joseph (Jilbér) Ferri of B Faire Music and Production, the music score is truly original. Your hard work is recognized and appreciated. Bravo!
This new interpretation of what has been the standard of musical theatrical productions features a mix of styles and genres that fit together to create a contemporary take on a musical theatre. Besides traditional singing and dancing, aerial artists meet with multiple genres of additional theatre expressions such as juggling, unicycling, flipping, animation, breakdancing, roller-skating, glow sticks, drumming, aerial artists, audience participation and lots, lots of big and small bubbles.
An innovative original new take on a musical in combination of circus elements and storytelling makes one to watch with suspension,' What will we see next?', which opens the opportunity to realize that 'is never too late to be the person you were always meant to be.' The story takes us from traveling with the plane and being on a boat cruise, to an amazing walk on the exceptionally long stilts, so comfortably and with ease. Then unusual dancing by going in a circle on the top of the head and all the acrobatic movements performed by flipping with a beautiful sparkling girl. Going through the countries, in China we see the dance of colorful umbrellas, in Paris lots of juggling and in Spain we see skillful Flamengo dance with singing a Spanish song and that wonderful clapping on the beat. From flying and boat cruise, we witness traveling with those amazing stilts, so comfortably and with ease. Then unusual dancing by swirling in a circle on the top of the head for a long time. Not forgetting all the acrobatic movements performed by a beautiful girl in the sparkling outfits and much, much more.
Impressive indeed!
Jennifer Novak Chun, a professional Cellist, opens the show with beautifully pleasant and fulfilling music. The cello is used for all the pretty long scene transitions, wonderfully filling the theatre space with original music pieces. Super helpful and soothing. Great job!
The cast is doing multiple different numbers and exposing their unique and special talents. Ferri is starring as the Son;
Sage Buchalter as a Take the Crown Singer and music box dancer;
Melissa Caravajal as the featured Flamenco dancer and take the Crown dancer;
Gonsalo Bboy Chalo is the break dancer;
Bella Hamm as the woman;
Elizabeth Kate Hernandez as the tap dancer and winged dancer;
Alex Honorato as the man;
Cristina Malakhai as a take the crown singer and featured Spanish singer;
Tate Navarro as a take the crown singer;
Tristan Nguyen as a take the winged dancer;
Sharyn Scott as the aerialist and roller skater;
Jorchual Gregory Vargas as the Emcee, tumbler, take the crown dancer and roller skater;
Christopher Yates as the juggler, unicyclist and stilts. The goal is to inspire, amaze and entertain.
Just a little suggestion; it would be nice if the wireless mics were used or lavaliers, instead of an awkward use of wired microphones. If somebody with the hearing challenge was in the audience, reading the letter would not be easy to hear.
The World Premiere of ADANZA runs at Eastwood Performing Arts Center, 1089 N. Oxford Ave, LA 90029. (Free parking in the on-site theatre lot). Opening Weekend performance is on Friday, March 28 @ 7 p.m. with performances on Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. The show is over 90 minutes long, but surprisingly the kids were quiet and paying attention to the very end. That says a lot.
The music from the show can be found on all streaming platforms under 'Adanza.'
Bring your little ones and enjoy the musical theatre with lots of circus elements that they will enjoy!
R.S.V.P. to Susan Gordon: sgordon823@gmail.com or go to
https://www.adanzamusical.com/