There were so many hits in the 80s. The decade saw the likes of Prince, Madonna and Gloria Estefan. Stage West’s Legends of 80s is a powerhouse of musical talent. Created by Howard Pechet and written, directed, and video designed by Lee Siegel, Legends looks back on these icons and how they contributed to music. Though the songs are not all necessarily from the 80s, being the greatest hits of that particular icon, the performance is energetic and nostalgic. It’s totally tubular.
The program includes hits from Whitney Houston, George Michael, Elton John, Billy Joel, Janet Jackson and Queen, just to name a few. Amanda De Freitas takes on the vocals for Whitney, Janet and Tina Turner. Her ability to embody these icons is impressive. The Janet set is a bit long as I’m not as familiar with her hits. There could have been more Tina, not just the song What’s Love Got To Do with It and Whitney’s set was fun to watch including How Will I Know / I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Greatest Love of All.
Alex Smith was just recently seen in Stage West’s Footloose and he clearly demonstrates his versatility in seeing his version of George Michael. His dance moves are precise and his look is spot on. Smith is worth the watch singing Faith, Wake me up before you Go-Go, and Careless Whisper.
Gabriel MacDonald’s Billy Joel is so accurate, while Andrew McAllister’s Elton John is equally as convincing. Both of these acts mostly take place at the piano, and the respective voices are so like the icons they are portraying. Elton John’s songs were mostly hits in the 70s including Benny and The Jets, Crocodile Rock and Your Song.
Ana Persijn covers Gloria Estefan and the production is energetic and vibrant, but her performance seems a bit less energetic. Perhaps after a few more performances under her belt, her delivery will strengthen. It was like Persijn could not keep up with the speed of Estefan’s songs, especially Rhythm is Gonna Get You.
Danny Gullekson’s Freddie Mercury is dynamic and he is impressive in his rendering of Don’t Stop Me Now / We Are The Champions. Anyone who can take on Mercury’s vocals and nail it, is especially talented.
This particular performance didn’t feature Alysse Ernewein and therefore Madonna and her music was absent. But the band, comprised of Konrad Pluta, Kathy Zaborsky, Jeremy Coates, Jeff Fafard, and Carl Janzen were on stage and contributing to this musical tribute.
David Smith’s set and lighting design create such energy on stage, bringing all the icons to life. Leslie Robison-Greene’s costume design is a major player, putting McAllister in a duck suit and having Smith look exactly like George Michael, right down to the hair designed by Deb Planidin-Turcios. Choreography by Ken Overbey makes gives this show its vibrancy, with the choreography capturing the movement of the era.
Stage West’s production of Legend of the 80s is a fun lookback at some of the music of the 80s. Put on your neon and see the show!