Flashdance The Musical premiered in Pittsburgh this week, which is fitting for a movie (now 30 years old!) with a steeltown setting. It’s set to run on Broadway starting in August, but you can see it now at Heinz Hall! The remaining shows are Friday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 6, at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Most people have seen the 1983 movie or heard the songs, including Maniac, Gloria, Flashdance—What A Feeling, and I Love Rock and Roll. If you’re going because you love the movie and the songs, you won’t be disappointed! While Flashdance The Musical includes new songs and some minor changes to the story, it’s still the story of Pittsburgh welder Alex, an 18-year-old who dances at a nightclub and dreams of being accepted into a prestigious dance school. When she begins dating her boss at the steel mill, he wants to help her through the audition process, but she’s used to getting things on her own. Will she be accepted to dance school? Will their love survive? C’mon, you know the answer!
The true fun of this show is that it’s a glorious remake of a very popular movie that resonates more with the people from the Pittsburgh area than any other. It’s nice to watch a show that shows the gritty side of Pittsburgh from my childhood (shown through some very cool stage projections) and knowing that the decline of the steel industry here was not the end of the city—30 years later, we’re one of the best places in the country in which to live.
The dancing is energetic and fun and even includes some ‘80s breakdancing. Much of Alex’s dance audition is taken from the movie, and it makes you remember why this movie was so well loved. Also, if you’re hoping to see the iconic scene where Alex pours water on herself during a dance—it’s there!
I would suggest this show for adults and older teenagers. (I did NOT bring my kids. I took my dad, who enjoys the soundtrack to this show as much as I do.) When Flashdance premiered in the early ‘80s, there was no PG-13 rating and so it was given an R rating, mostly for the dancing. Parents bringing their kids, be aware that there’s swearing—and pole dancing.
The cast and crew are doing a marvelous job. The stage design is top notch, too, switching from Pittsburgh backgrounds to interior shots of steel mills. Catch this show before it heads to Broadway!
Tickets can be purchased for remaining shows at http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/32848.
I was compensated for these tickets but all views are my own.
