Kinky Boots at Marina Bay Sands: A review

I was excited to see how Cyndi Lauper come up with words and music for the musical Kinky Boots, with book by Harvey Fierstein.  Being a fan of hers since her debut album "She's So Unusual", I wonder if she could transit well into musicals. Of course, she won the Tony for this musical.....

The storyline was pretty straightforward.  A son trying to keep a shoe factory afloat after his father passed away, and he found an unlikely partner in a drag queen.  Through this, he had to deal with a wedding preparation, keeping the workers employed and coming up with a unique design for the "kinky" boots.   Of course, everything ended well.

The return of Mama Mia!

It seems that Singaporeans could not get enough of this musical.  I believe this should be the third or fourth time Mama Mia! the musical is staging on our shores.  For fans of ABBA, always an opportunity to relive the genius of their music.

Tickets available at SISTIC (www.sistic.com.sg)

Kinky Boots hitting Singapore in October

Winner of 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical with song and lyrics by my favourite artist Cyndi Lauper, the musical Kinky Boots will be performing in Singapore from 5 October for a limited run. 

Based on true events, Kinky Boots tells a heartwarming story of two individuals with contrast background.  Charlie is a factory owner struggling to save his family business while Lola is a drag queen with some crazy idea. This unexpected pairing learnt to embrace their differences and create a line of unique sturdy stilettos.

Even David Cook, American Idol Season 7 winner, has appeared in this musical.

Tickets available at Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg)

Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus - A review

There were several visits by circus and acrobatic troupes to Singapore yearly, and the latest being Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus, currently playing at the Marina Bay Sand Theatre.  Having caught a glimpse of the production from the TV show American Got Talent, I was keen to see how the production would go.

Set in the year 1903, the production featured the usual acrobatic arts such as juggling, tight rope walking etc.

The acts may not be death defying, but were performed by the acrobats admirably. 

While watching the show, I wished it could be staged in a Big Top setting as the height of the MBS theatre was a bit restrictive.

For a brief moment, the audience were given the impression that live elephants were on stage!  But it was the creative work of the puppeters behind the play War Horse, who came up with the adult and baby elephants.  A highlight of this production, but sadly it did not appear long.  A storyline could be developed around the elephants.

Another highlight would be the Master of Ceremony.  I like his sense of humour, sarcastic and funny. He really lifted the production when at time, the production became predictable.  And of course, the kids who went on stage did steal the show!

This show is more suited for family audience, and to those young at heart.  As a production, it has the chance to expand and grow.

Evita the Musical at MasterCard Theatres: Review

The musical Evita arrived in Singapore for the first time.  The musical charts the rags-to-riches life of  Evita, who moved from an ambitious actress to become the wife of the President Peron.  She died of cancer at a young age of 33.

For better enjoyment of this production, it pays to read up on the history of Argentina, and on Eva Peron, as the pace of story telling was quick.

Overall production standards was good and the cast were generally competent.  Emma Kingston has a good singing voice, albeit lacking the stature of a powerful lady.  Jonathan Roxmouth had a good turn as Che, the storyteller in this musical. 

While recent musicals have relied on elaborate sets and technology, Evita, being a 70s musical, was more song and plot.  A production that stood the test of time.