HEAD OVER HEELS – Music and Lyrics by the Gogo’s and others; Book by Jeff Whitty; Adapted by James Magruder; Directed and Choreographed by Josh Walden; Musical Direction by Tim Fletchey. Produced by Theatre Silco (460 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne) through July 23. Tickets available at 970-513-9386 or thesilco.org.
HEAD OVER HEELS is definitely a jukebox music utilizing the catalog of the 80’s all-female group, the Gogo’s. But a jukebox musical in the mold of MAMA MIA and MARGARITAVILLE, rather than THE JERSEY BOYS. A musical that uses the music of the group but has nothing to do with the story of the group. It appears that Mr. Whitty had the idea of pulling some of his favorite GoGo songs and sliding them into a fantasy story about a mythical kingdom that feared losing their “Beat.”
A new oracle is in town and unhappy with the current administration. A prophecy is made that four things will happen that will cause the Arcadian folk to lose their all-important Beat, the thing that allows them dance through life. A journey is undertaken to find a solution to the problem and along the way, things happen (like all four prophecies take place), but understandings arise about the Beat (“We’ve Got the Beat”) and all ends well. In a nutshell.
Maybe it’s unfamiliarity with the music of the GoGo’s that dampened my enthusiasm for this show. The dichotomy of the Shakespearean language of the script and the modernity of the music seemed out of balance somehow. Mixed in with the almost frantic illustration of nearly every type of sexual coupling possible and a convoluted plot that seemed to spiral in every direction, it became difficult to remain invested in the tomfoolery.
That being said, the singers and dancers who were performing the script as it was written did their best with the material. While some of the voices were not as show-worthy as others, all carried on valiantly awarding the audience with a show they could smile through. Trinity Wolff had a beautiful belt and used it as the Queen who utilized the old “switch in the dark” bit from time immemorial to prove to the King what he was missing. Grace Napoletano was a quietly sly handmaiden with a yearning for a Princess. Alexa Hendrickson gave us a winky-winky portrayal of a Princess with an exaggerated sense of her own beauty. Adam Magnacca made a pretty and convincing Amazon. So, see, it was mostly the script.
I really enjoy going to Theatre Silco. Their spacious lobby is welcoming as is the number of people who take care of your ticket and refreshment needs for the evening. It’s a true Black Box theatre in their acting space with each performance (so far) reflecting a different seating arrangement. I admire the creativity of the sets and, in this case, the costumes. Although whoever thought basketball shorts were sexy – ??
For folks in Breckenridge, Dillon, Silverthorne and surrounds, go on over to the theatre, especially if you were born in the 60’s. You’ll love it!
For folks in Denver for whom it is an hour and a half drive, I’d say wait for the next show. A completely different light drama about the friendship between Marie Curie who gets in trouble with the scientific world and the media for following her heart and another female scientist who comes to her rescue. You’ll love it!
A WOW factor of 7.5!!