Posted: 7/7/19 at 8:51pm
Just saw the Chicago premiere of Head Over Heels. For those who missed the earlier threads it's a modern gender-queer take on a 16th century sex farce set to the music of the 1980's group The Gogos. If you've seen As You Like It or Midsummer Night's Dream it's easy enough to follow the logic of the story.
It was considered too slight for Broadway but a $25 ticket in a 100 seat house felt ideal. The leads belt and clown, the sexy chorus dances up a storm and it's great fun to see such a broad range of gender and sexual identities presented without comment.
The weak point for me was the music. I arrived unfamiliar with the Gogos and left with no real appreciation for their songs. Each was arranged with the same bounce and bark style. I'd have liked to have heard at least one dialed down to a soft ballad rather than a belty showcase. In fact I'd have almost preferred to have cut the music and seen that most unprofitable of things... a comic play!
The flexible cast size and breezy material should lend itself easily to regional theaters. I'll be curious to read about the productions that pop up over the next few months.
Reviews for the Chicago production will soon be compiled here: https://www.theatreinchicago.com/head-over-heels/10377/
Updated On: 7/7/19 at 08:51 PM
