King David’s fame turns up the heat

JORDAN MOSHE

Missing neither beat nor note, the talented high school cast of Fame brought the acclaimed musical to Johannesburg in a flurry of fancy footwork and memorable melodies.

Based on the 1980s-era film of the same name, Fame chronicles the lives and hardships of students striving to make it in showbiz by attending the High School of Performing Arts in New York. An intricate narrative which blends angsty adolescent emotions with daunting discussions surrounding growing up, this is by no means a simple production to pull off.

Add to this the high standard set by the school’s stellar performance of Grease in 2018 and A Chorus Line in 2017, and you’ll understand the enormity of the task which lay before this year’s KDVP cast.

Under the excellent direction of drama doyen Renos Spanoudes, the cast has revived the classic story of high school love, competition, rebellion, and the discovery of identity by delivering a mostly exceptional performance on Sunday’s 18:30 show.

Few will forget the frenzied yet flawless footwork of Alon Raichlin, whose impeccable portrayal of dyslexia-challenged Tyrone Jackson was clearly carried off with aplomb. His spunk, spirit, and sensational moves bowled the entire audience over, all of whom were transfixed as he danced up a storm across the stage. Partnered with the grace and poise of ballerina Iris (played by Shayna Sundy), the duo certainly knew how to cut a rug with flair.

While the choreography of the cast as a whole was virtually flawless, technical issues appeared to drown out the dialogue and beautiful voices in the first act, hampering the quality of the performances.

Although they were difficult to hear and became properly audible only in the second act, PA teachers Ms Sherman (Loren Hrustinszky) and Ms Bell (Erin Midzuk) delivered the tense standoff between artistry and academics with conviction and aplomb.

Providing a healthy comedic counterweight, Joe Vegas (Benji Abrahams) and Mabel Washington (Keren Katzew) gave the audience a few good laughs with their respective stand-up and food-craving routines.

Also warming to her role in the second act was Paris Obel, who played the part of the fame-obsessed Carmen Diaz, whose determination to make it big ultimately leads to her tragic death. Engaging naturally with love interest Schlomo Metzenbaum (played by the talented Eli Kaplan), Obel’s soulful renditions of In L.A. and I Sing the Body Electric were both well-received, and spoke for her evident singing prowess. Equally vocally gifted were Dina Kay (playing Serena Katz) and Talya Bartal, whose brief performance of You Say was met with rapturous applause.

Supported by the talented drama, dance, and music ensembles, this cast presented a polished and hugely talented performance. There was nothing high school about the talent at this school of Fame. The talent on stage was so very professional, it could have been brought to you by theatre doyenne Hazel Feldman herself.

The production truly paid tribute to the style and sense of the 80s, featuring costume, setting, and sound expertly managed by the backstage crew and production band.

All in all, it was a compelling reflection of the drive to make it big in showbusiness and the numerous choices which have to be made in the rise to stardom.