JP/ Nurhayati
Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 07/24/2010 8:59 AM | Feature
Bringing a legendary Broadway musical to the local stage could be a real challenge because of the high expectations.
The locally flavored Dreamgirls musical, which recently sang its way into the hearts of a Jakartan audience, is one case where comments of “wow” and “ouch” were heard.
Even before the critiques, true musical lovers may first wonder how the local version of Dreamgirls would turn out, since the original play was in English, while the talents were Indonesians.
So, would some language issues arise?
One comment from a female audience member might provide the answer. “What has he been talking about?” she said in a response to one recurring supporting actor, who failed to deliver his words clearly.
Another theatergoer also criticized the same actor, saying, “I didn’t understand what he said”.
The language issue had affected the show since the curtain went up, with the main cast — Adyuta Abandhika (as Effie White), Laras Permata (Deena Jones) and Quincy Putri Pesulima (Lorell Robinson) — rushing through mumbled conversations.
| Sat, 07/24/2010 8:59 AM | Feature
Bringing a legendary Broadway musical to the local stage could be a real challenge because of the high expectations.
The locally flavored Dreamgirls musical, which recently sang its way into the hearts of a Jakartan audience, is one case where comments of “wow” and “ouch” were heard.
Even before the critiques, true musical lovers may first wonder how the local version of Dreamgirls would turn out, since the original play was in English, while the talents were Indonesians.
So, would some language issues arise?
One comment from a female audience member might provide the answer. “What has he been talking about?” she said in a response to one recurring supporting actor, who failed to deliver his words clearly.
Another theatergoer also criticized the same actor, saying, “I didn’t understand what he said”.
The language issue had affected the show since the curtain went up, with the main cast — Adyuta Abandhika (as Effie White), Laras Permata (Deena Jones) and Quincy Putri Pesulima (Lorell Robinson) — rushing through mumbled conversations.
But thankfully, as more scenes were unveiled, those three shining young stars finally succeeded in polishing their fake African-American accents, resulting in a more enjoyable performance.
Adyuta, Laras and Quincy proved they had that something when it comes to a powerful act, song and dance.
The most memorable moments were perhaps when Adyuta hit all the rights notes when singing the heart-wrenching numbers (And I Am Telling You) I’m Not Going and Family with other casts, evoking thunderous claps from the audience.
The girls’ stealing performances also swept off the doubt one would have about how the local-version show would be, since the story pulsates around the lives of African-American entertainers.
So, it would be understandable if audiences expect to watch an African-American cast — maybe people like Beyonce Knowles or Jennifer Hudson, who took up the main roles in the theater-adapted Dreamgirls movie in 2006.
But, well, Dreamgirls is a story of hopes and dreams, joy and tragedy — so as long as any version can hit the right beat, we can rest this cast-case.
After all, the cast, dancers and musicians in this local production, were convinced they made a real effort — especially in reviving the spirit of Broadway in Indonesia, where the tradition of watching musicals hasn’t blossomed.
The Broadway-licensed production, brought by the Jakarta Broadway Team theater company, was based on the 1981 Broadway hit by playwright and theater director Tom Eyen and composer Henry Krieger.
Set in the Motown era between 1962 and 1975, the award-winning musical was inspired by the rise of The Supremes. Narrating the tale of an African-American girl group called The Dreamettes, the musical highlights the sacrifices of girlfriends Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorell Robinson to succeed
in the mainstream white pop-culture.
In their way to becoming glamorous divas, the trio’s manager Curtis Taylor, Jr. dumps the full-sized yet super talented Effie and makes the lithe and pretty Deena Jones the lead singer, only so the group could be more marketable to white audiences.
In preparing the local-version musical, senior theater director Efriadi needed around two and a half months to make sure he could keep up with Broadway-quality musicals.
Working together with the theater company’s founder Frida Tumakaka, who was the show’s music director and choreographer Alicia Kasih, they managed around 30 talents and 150 crew members for the show, which was staged at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on July 17-18.
Another standout who deserves praise is Bran Sawamoto Vargas, who played as soul-singer James “Thunder” Early.
Bran had the moves and vocal color required for the role, whereby his onstage breakdowns evolved from funny to tragic. Hans Lango, in the role of Effie’s brother C.C. White, also delivered a strong performance.
Despite energetic talents, however, the show unfortunately failed to meet some basic aspects for a theater performance.
A poor sound-system was one thing the audience complained about the most on the show’s first day.
Comments like “Oh please!”, “Oh dear!” or simply the disappointment “tsk tsk” expression were heard several times, along with long deep breaths, as some of the artists’ microphones went out of sync. Not to mention when only the left-wing loudspeaker functioned for a few moments.
The stage-set was minimalistic, but lighting effects and vibrant wardrobes helped lift the musical sensation.
This local-flavored Broadways smash deserves appreciation for creating the artistic energy of Broadway in Jakarta town.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/24/%E2%80%98dreamgirls%E2%80%99-getting-spirit-broadway.html
Adyuta, Laras and Quincy proved they had that something when it comes to a powerful act, song and dance.
The most memorable moments were perhaps when Adyuta hit all the rights notes when singing the heart-wrenching numbers (And I Am Telling You) I’m Not Going and Family with other casts, evoking thunderous claps from the audience.
The girls’ stealing performances also swept off the doubt one would have about how the local-version show would be, since the story pulsates around the lives of African-American entertainers.
So, it would be understandable if audiences expect to watch an African-American cast — maybe people like Beyonce Knowles or Jennifer Hudson, who took up the main roles in the theater-adapted Dreamgirls movie in 2006.
But, well, Dreamgirls is a story of hopes and dreams, joy and tragedy — so as long as any version can hit the right beat, we can rest this cast-case.
After all, the cast, dancers and musicians in this local production, were convinced they made a real effort — especially in reviving the spirit of Broadway in Indonesia, where the tradition of watching musicals hasn’t blossomed.
The Broadway-licensed production, brought by the Jakarta Broadway Team theater company, was based on the 1981 Broadway hit by playwright and theater director Tom Eyen and composer Henry Krieger.
Set in the Motown era between 1962 and 1975, the award-winning musical was inspired by the rise of The Supremes. Narrating the tale of an African-American girl group called The Dreamettes, the musical highlights the sacrifices of girlfriends Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorell Robinson to succeed
in the mainstream white pop-culture.
In their way to becoming glamorous divas, the trio’s manager Curtis Taylor, Jr. dumps the full-sized yet super talented Effie and makes the lithe and pretty Deena Jones the lead singer, only so the group could be more marketable to white audiences.
In preparing the local-version musical, senior theater director Efriadi needed around two and a half months to make sure he could keep up with Broadway-quality musicals.
Working together with the theater company’s founder Frida Tumakaka, who was the show’s music director and choreographer Alicia Kasih, they managed around 30 talents and 150 crew members for the show, which was staged at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on July 17-18.
Another standout who deserves praise is Bran Sawamoto Vargas, who played as soul-singer James “Thunder” Early.
Bran had the moves and vocal color required for the role, whereby his onstage breakdowns evolved from funny to tragic. Hans Lango, in the role of Effie’s brother C.C. White, also delivered a strong performance.
Despite energetic talents, however, the show unfortunately failed to meet some basic aspects for a theater performance.
A poor sound-system was one thing the audience complained about the most on the show’s first day.
Comments like “Oh please!”, “Oh dear!” or simply the disappointment “tsk tsk” expression were heard several times, along with long deep breaths, as some of the artists’ microphones went out of sync. Not to mention when only the left-wing loudspeaker functioned for a few moments.
The stage-set was minimalistic, but lighting effects and vibrant wardrobes helped lift the musical sensation.
This local-flavored Broadways smash deserves appreciation for creating the artistic energy of Broadway in Jakarta town.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/24/%E2%80%98dreamgirls%E2%80%99-getting-spirit-broadway.html
