David Alan Grier Joins The Mambo Kings

RRMay 26th, 2005 - 21:57:44

I saw this show last night at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco. The dancing is fantastic. There are some good acing moments by all of the principals but the show needs some cutting. There are few scenes in both the first and second act that bring the energy down way too much. A few of the balads are snoozers and weren't helped much vocal problems that a couple of the leading men have. The women were all wonderful singers.

The sets and lighting are out of this world. And again, the dancing is amazing. There is a 'I Love Lucy' scene done with a giant television that drops down above the stage which is a lot of fun. The required 'fake' playing of instruments by the actors is awkward and there's a lot of it.

There is an odd mix of latin music and it's incredible energy and latin flare with tradition musical theatre comedy that doesn't really work. It's sort of an oil and water feeling you get.

My opinion is that if this show opens on Broadway as it is now, it will flop. It's not beyond repair, but somebody better get to work quickly.

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