Flashdance The Musical
Encyclopedia
Flashdance The Musical is a stage adaptation of the 1983 musical film Flashdance
. The show had its world premiere in July 2008 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, followed by a tour of the United Kingdom
. The show finished its UK Tour in May 2009 and will opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre
, in London's West End
in October 2010 (previewing from 25 September 2010).. The musical was produced by David Ian
, directed by Robert Leon and choreographed by Arlene Phillips
, with a book by Tom Hadly & Robert Cary, music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robbie Roth and Robert Cary.
The 2008 cast consisted of Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
as Alex Owens, Noel Sullivan
as Nick Hurley, Bernie Nolan as Hannah Owens and Bruno Langley
as Jimmy Kaminsky. The Shows musical numbers consist of twenty one songs with five from the original film and sixteen original songs. There are no plans to release an original cast recording.
Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) FLASHDANCE is an unmistakably unique musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds. The show features an iconic score including the smash hit ‘Maniac’, along with ‘Manhunt’, ‘Gloria’ and the Academy Award winning title track ‘Flashdance – What a Feeling’ as well as 10 original songs created for the musical.
Act Two
. Group Sales were launched on 8 March 2010, to be followed by general sale on 18 March 2010. Arlene Phillips choreographed. Previews were due to begin on Friday 24 September 2010; however, due to technical difficulties, the previews were postponed to the following day. The production closed earlier than planned on 15 January 2011.
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
. The show had its world premiere in July 2008 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, followed by a tour of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The show finished its UK Tour in May 2009 and will opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Shaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New...
, in London's West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in October 2010 (previewing from 25 September 2010).. The musical was produced by David Ian
David Ian
David Ian Lane , is a former actor and now a theatre producer who The Stage has called "the most powerful man in UK theatre".-Biography:...
, directed by Robert Leon and choreographed by Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
, with a book by Tom Hadly & Robert Cary, music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robbie Roth and Robert Cary.
The 2008 cast consisted of Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is a British actress and singer known primarily for her roles in leading musical theatre productions. Most recently she played the role of 'Alex Owens' in the West End production of Flashdance alongside Matt Willis at the Shaftesbury Theatre- Background :Victoria...
as Alex Owens, Noel Sullivan
Noel Sullivan
Noel Sullivan , is a Welsh singer and actor. He was a member of the British pop group Hear'Say. Like the other members of the group, he won his part through the talent show Popstars.-Early life and career:...
as Nick Hurley, Bernie Nolan as Hannah Owens and Bruno Langley
Bruno Langley
Bruno Langley is an English actor. He is best known for playing Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street and Adam Mitchell in Doctor Who.- Early life :...
as Jimmy Kaminsky. The Shows musical numbers consist of twenty one songs with five from the original film and sixteen original songs. There are no plans to release an original cast recording.
Plot
Set in Pittsburgh USA, FLASHDANCE tells the story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) FLASHDANCE is an unmistakably unique musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds. The show features an iconic score including the smash hit ‘Maniac’, along with ‘Manhunt’, ‘Gloria’ and the Academy Award winning title track ‘Flashdance – What a Feeling’ as well as 10 original songs created for the musical.
Cast
| Character | Original 2008 Tour Actor/Actress | Original West End Actor/Actress |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Owens | Victoria Hamilton-Barritt Victoria Hamilton-Barritt Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is a British actress and singer known primarily for her roles in leading musical theatre productions. Most recently she played the role of 'Alex Owens' in the West End production of Flashdance alongside Matt Willis at the Shaftesbury Theatre- Background :Victoria... |
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt Victoria Hamilton-Barritt Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is a British actress and singer known primarily for her roles in leading musical theatre productions. Most recently she played the role of 'Alex Owens' in the West End production of Flashdance alongside Matt Willis at the Shaftesbury Theatre- Background :Victoria... |
| Nick Hurley | Noel Sullivan Noel Sullivan Noel Sullivan , is a Welsh singer and actor. He was a member of the British pop group Hear'Say. Like the other members of the group, he won his part through the talent show Popstars.-Early life and career:... |
Matt Willis Matt Willis Matthew James Willis is an English singer-songwriter. He found fame as a founding member of the band Busted.- Early years :... |
| Hannah Owens | Bernie Nolan | Sarah Ingram |
| Jimmy Kaminsky | Bruno Langley Bruno Langley Bruno Langley is an English actor. He is best known for playing Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street and Adam Mitchell in Doctor Who.- Early life :... |
Sam Mackay |
| Gloria | Ruthie Stevens | Charlotte Harwood |
| Jazmin | Djalenja Scott | Twinnie Lee Moore Twinnie Lee Moore Twinnie Lee Moore is a British actress who has been seen in West End ensembles and starred in a touring version of the musical Chicago. She appeared on stage was in Flashdance The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, which closed on January 15th... |
| Keisha | Carryl Thomas | Hannah Levane |
| Abe | Michael Conway | Brendan Cull |
| Harry | Gavin Spokes | Russell Dixon |
| Joe | Gavin Spokes | Russell Dixon |
| Dr Kool | Simon Harvey | Ricky Rojas |
| Sammy | Simon Harvey | Andrew Spillett |
| CC | Michael Conway | Robbie White |
Differences Between stage and film
- In the film Hannah is an old woman to which Alex has no blood relation, in the show Hannah is Alex's mother.
- The film's characters Jeanie and Tina Tech have been combined to create Gloria.
- Instead of The Zanzibar being a strip club it's now a club with no nudity - just pole dancing.
- The character of Richie Blazik is cut and the character Jimmy Kaminsky is substituted, however the two characters have very little in common.
- The substory in which Alex and Nick break up because Alex believes he's cheating on her is missing from the stage show.
- All the "Flashdancer's" solos are cut, minus Alex's famous chair dance. However this is moved to the end of act one for ease of changing and clean up.
- In the film Hannah dies of old age, in the stage show she is shot when Jimmy Kamisky holds up her laundrette in need of drug money.
- Songs from the film that are used in the show are used in a different context. For instance Manhunt is no longer used for a solo dance piece it is sung over a montage of Nick and Alex on a series of dates. Another Example is Gloria. In the film this is used during Jeanie's ice skating solo, however in the show it is used when Gloria performs in the strip club. However "What A Feeling" is still used for Alex's audition.
- In the film Nick convinces Alex to go to her audition, in the stage show her friends convince her and accompany her to the audition.
Musical numbers
Act I- Working Man's Orchestra - Company
- Steeltown Sky - Alex and Company
- Up In Smoke -Hannah and Alex.
- In Touch With The Beat - Keisha, Jazmin, Gloria and Alex
- High Art - Alex and Company
- Maniac - Keisha, Jazmin and Gloria
- The Long Way Home - Gloria
- Totally Different People- Alex, Sammy, Abe, Joe and Hannah
- Manhunt - Keisha, Jazmin and Gloria
- Don't Stop - Nick and Alex
- Don't Stop (Reprise)- Alex
- My Next Step - Alex, Jimmy, Jazmin, Keisha and Company
Act Two
- Working Man's Orchestra - Company
- New Economy - Dr Kool, CC, Jimmy, Nick and William Hurley
- You Can't Keep Me Down - Jimmy and Company
- You're Not Done - Hannah and Alex
- I Love Rock and Roll - played on radio
- Gloria - Keisha and Jazmin
- Don't Stop (Reprise) - Alex
- In Touch With The Beat (Reprise)- Keisha
- What A Feeling - Keisha, Jazmin and Gloria
2010 West End Production
This production was confirmed to be playing at the Shaftesbury TheatreShaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New...
. Group Sales were launched on 8 March 2010, to be followed by general sale on 18 March 2010. Arlene Phillips choreographed. Previews were due to begin on Friday 24 September 2010; however, due to technical difficulties, the previews were postponed to the following day. The production closed earlier than planned on 15 January 2011.