Rocky @ The Winter Garden Theater

“And now for the main event!”

Whether you are a hardcore fan or have never heard of the movie, ROCKY on Broadway is a must see!

Somewhere in downtown Philadelphia, a down-and-out fighter named Rocky Balboa struggles to stay on his feet. But when the chance of a lifetime comes along, he takes his best shot at becoming a champion… and his last shot at finding first love. The iconic underdog story ROCKY has inspired an innovative new stage production, brought to extraordinary life by a five-time Tony Award®-winning creative team, including director Alex Timbers (Peter and the Starcatcher), songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), and book writers Thomas Meehan (The Producers) and Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, the Oscar®-winning Best Picture).

Any ROCKY fan will agree that Alex Timbers direction does the film justice and far exceeds expectations. He transfers the movie into a fantastic three dimensional realization, breaking the “fourth wall” left and right. Timbers also includes the obligatory training montage in the most clever and seamless way possible. The music and lyrics by Ahrens and Flaherty keeps a steady thread throughout the piece, successfully folding in classic ROCKY themes as if they were simply part of their own score. The piece as a whole however is not as lush or compelling as some of their other works.

Andy Karl as Rocky Balboa is quite possibly the hardest working man on Broadway.  He brings Rocky to life, infused with anticipated Stallone inspired bites while also brightening up the character with Karl’s own flare. His physical performance seems to equate to the stamina needed for competing in an Ironman Triathlon.  His super hero-like showcase is most obvious in the scene where Karl is belting out some impressive vocals while easily doing pull-ups.  This combination of mental, vocal and physical demands would bring most actors to their knees, but it highlights Karl’s strength and talent.

Two other performances to take note of are Terance Archie as Apollo Creed and Margo Seibert as Adrian.  Archie oozes with charisma as the arch nemesis Apollo.  His portrayal is perfect, leading us to hate Apollo while we smile uncontrollably each time Archie’s rich voice sings or speaks.  Margo Seibert’s Adrian has a wonderful character arc; the more that Adrienne grows in the storyline, the more Seibert’s vocals shine with the reflection of her character.  Archie, Seibert and the rest of the cast ignite the streets of Philadelphia with fiery passion.

The set, designed by Christopher Barreca, is everything that we have come to expect from a big ticket Broadway show.  The audience is drawn into the day to day life of each character with very detailed and intricate sets. We see Rocky’s worn wallpaper, fish swimming in a wall of aquariums in Adrian’s pet shop and Creed’s sleek mirrored business office. In the end, the set transforms to draw the audience into the action of the boxing ring. This set allows the audience to develop an intimate connection with each character and then leaves you feeling as if you didn’t just see a Broadway show, but that you were actually part of a boxing event! It is ingenious, not only in appearance but in functionality.

The fight choreography in this piece is probably the most impressive you will ever find in any Broadway show. Even sitting in the front row it is impossible to see “staged” punches. All of it looks authentic and is executed like a perfectly synced ballet.   It is so real that the audience can’t help being swept into cheering for their favorite contender.

This tremendous spectacle brings the classic movie to life in the most sensational way possible. ROCKY will leave you feeling exhilarated and wanting more.  Don’t miss it!

Review By: Staci Morin

Photos By: Chad Batka

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson @ Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Move over traditional musical, indie rock is here to stay on Broadway. What RENT did for the village, Spring Awakening did for raging hormones, and Next to Normal did for a reversed Oedipus complex; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson takes the typical history lesson by the collar, and gives a big F.U. to political correctness, stuffy explanations, and pompous “just-the-facts” attitude. It is set ablaze with a powerful score, an electrifying cast, and a production that captures the ferocity and complexity that was our seventh president – Andrew Jackson.

Even with an unusually quiet audience for such a powerhouse of a musical, the energy of the entire company – band included – creamed the scene with power and passion with not just the book, but the sheer subject matter. Touchy subjects – such as mass genocide and the infamous Trail of Tears – were approached with pristine wit and tenderness, creating an unsettling and yet spot on discourse within the audience members. The cast and crew nailed the feel good and thoughtful musical with a balance of ease that made it appear effortless.

Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman have created, what one audience member jokingly remarked, “The No-fear-Shakespeare for the history books, but done right!” Their work was refreshing among the other dime a dozen revivals and movie-made-musicals that seem to be creeping into the Big White Way. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is the little patch of underground utopia that restores faith for the modern musical.

Benjamin Walker is a riot as Jackson, with his keen sense to capture the unruliness and internal struggle of a brilliantly mad man, he does not fall short of kicking ass and taking numbers as well as making you weep. On a scale of one to ten, he blazed through at a constant fifty, light up the stage with his voice, timing, and clarity of his role. Also, Maria Elena Ramirez’s role as Rachael (Jackson’s wife), was stunning. In her most poignant number “The Great Compromise,” the little woman gives her character a sharp turn from the comedy into tragedy with such grace and precision, giving further definition to her character. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’s stellar cast is rounded out by the brilliant ensemble. Each member does a great job of portraying many different characters and even picking up an instrument or two to play with the band!

With the Bernard B. Jacob Theatre looking more like the interior of a bar – with the décor landing somewhere between an old fashioned tavern and an AC/DC concert – the generation gap of both era and genre made for a phenomenal combination. As stunning as the costumes were, continuing to stick to a westernized feel of today’s multi-layered look, there were several unnecessary costume changes among the chorus members; which did nothing to enhance the plot or scene, but more so to inflate the ego of the fashion gods. The lighting aspect was a stunning visual orgasm, as color changing neon tubes protruded from the stage, rippling on and off between numbers for the hard rock effect; while hundreds upon thousands of strings of lights glowed overhead – and over every space available for that matter – to create that old time feel of Southern comforts for the more somber numbers. Justin Townsend, lighting designer for this production, better take one hell of a bow for pulling off one magnanimous spectacle.

With the tired, but true saying, “history always repeats itself,” the message in this production is clear, keeping its audience members interested in more ways than one. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a must see, if not for the reasons above, then for at least a really crazy guy, in some really tight jeans.

Review By: James Russo & Sarah Hogan-DePaul