Hot Feet (Hot Mess) Tonight (4/1/06)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 12:50am

This review is dedicated to WAT, because if I never had met him, and subsequently saw this show on his behalf, I would have walked out during the first act.

Before I start my main review, I'd like to give a big "hats off" to the talented corp of dancers, who poured their hearts and souls into every number they were in.

I will apologize if this review seems scattered, but I have so many things running through my head as I type this.

I don't know exactly how to categorize Hot Feet (otherwise known as WTF). It's not necessarily a "juke box" musical because the cast on stage, for the most part, does not sing. I personally don't feel that the music tied any type of story together, and the story (with a few exceptions), was not really told through the choreography. It was kind of like, "42nd Street", "Stayin' Alive", "Damn Yankees" and "Fame" all rolled up into one big mess!

The main character's name is Kalimba. How ironic since "Kalimba Entertainment" is partly responsible for the fiasco I saw on stage tonight. To quote part of the bio in the Playbill, "Its purpose is to create, develop and execute brand strategy for the trademark Earth, Wind and Fire..." Um, ok. What's up with that?

Maurice Hines - I realize that show business is his life, and he has done some amazing things in his career, but to be quoted as "creative genius" (I kid you not) in his bio is a bit much. I was fortunate enough to see him in the Broadway productions of both "Eubie!" and "Sophisticated Ladies" (replaced his brother, the late, Gregory Hines).

What did I like about Hot Feet? To me, the choreography is the one thing the show has going for it (though there were way too many pelvic thrusts and gyrations throughout). The audition sequence early on in Act 1 was both energetic and exciting, and probably my favorite number in the entire show.

Performances: Michael Balderamma, quite the hottie and excellent dancer (also loved his hair). Standouts in the ensemble include Duane Lee Holland (edited in) and Matthew Kiernan (one of the swings). I also have to mention the little girl who played the role of Emma (Samantha Pollino [understudy]). What a dancer, especially since she's so young. Throughout the evening, I kept wishing I had the kind of rhythm and extension any of the dancers in this show displayed.

I'd get into the inane plot, but I won't, because it's just not worth it.

The book scenes were absolutely horrendous. I've heard better dialogue, line readings and acting in porn.

The Playbill said that the time period was the present, but it was difficult to tell from some of the costumes that were being worn. It's also unfortunate that the costumes worn in the opening number appeared baggy and cumbersome and took away from the body line of the dancers.

The role of Kalimba was played by the understudy, Dionne Figgins. She was fine, but not very convincing as a 17 year old.

About three-quarters of the way through Act One, an announcement came over the PA system saying that the show would have to be stopped for 10 minutes. At first, everyone in the audience thought that this was part of the "show within a show", but we soon realized that it wasn't. When the show resumed, an announcement was made saying that the actress playing Naomi had been injured backstage and that her understudy would be playing the remainder of the show. It was obvious that this was the first time that Nakia Henry was going on. I give her credit for the job she did, being thrown in like that. It was also nice to see her fellow castmates applaud her during her bow.

What is with the trend in some current shows to use projections as their set? The projections used in the "Getaway" number in Act 2 looked like a glorified PowerPoint presentation.

Allen Hidalgo's (Louie) annunciation was abysmal. His number at the beginning of Act 2 was unintelligible. It didn't even sound like english to me.

Again, the dancer's were amazing, and I wish they were given better material to work with. I just kept thinking throughout the entire evening, what can be done to fix this. Not much. First, cut some of the book scenes (they were that bad). Hot Feet is in dire need of a complete overhaul. In my opinion, this show should not be brought to Broadway in its present state. That being said, will it move onto New York? Most likely, as it looks like someone is willing (and has the money)to keep the show going. Will it do well there? Probably not.

To quote Kalimba's mother at the end of the show, "Why, why, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?"

Updated On: 4/2/06 at 12:50 AM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 1:20am

Ick.
So what's going into the Hilton Theatre next?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 1:29am

Thanks, Dottie. I can't wait to see this one!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 1:40am

oy we can never win, can we?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 8:09am

Updated.

[Danceinique82]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:21am

John A. James couldn't have possibly been on stage that night cuz he is a singer and the singers are kept in another part of the theater...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:40am

Oh, thanks. My mistake, it was Duane Lee Holland I was referring to. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

The background vocalists were excellent and I'm sorry they didn't take a bow.

Updated On: 4/2/06 at 11:40 AM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 3:17pm

is the choegraphy worthy of a tony? that at least could help the show in some way...

this will probably run a few months, and maybe could make room for TALE OF TWO CITIES this fall...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 3:27pm

It might be, but I think that's all the nominations it would get. It also depends on what else is out there.

Regarding some oddities in the story:

***SPOILERS AHEAD***










In one scene, the choreographer, Anthony, is fired by Mr. Serpentine (Hot Feet's producer), yet, Anthony is one of the leads in the Hot Feet ballet. Does not make sense.

The demise of Kalimba was done to get back at Mr. Serpentine, yet, we never see his reaction to this. Again, does not make sense.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 3:28pm

how was the set? was there a show curtain? I Hate how the singers/band isn't on stage. sorry, that just really bugs me. is there not an orchestra pit or something? was the theater pretty full or empty?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 3:33pm

Set very bland (just pieces that came in and out).

Show curtain had the logo of a dancer and tacky laser lights emitting from the shoes.

I was in the front mezzanine which was pretty full, but I noticed some empty seats after intermission. There was a family of four in front of me who left and one whole row in the center section. I also noticed some empty seats in the orchestra area.

It's funny, because some people in the orchestra were attempting to give the show an undeserved standing ovation, and they were signaling those people around them to stand up as well (which they did not). The only standing I was going to do, was when I got up to leave the theatre.

[Harpo]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 3:43pm

Thanks for the review Dottie. I will cordially not attend this production!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 5:09pm

Rumor has it that Dottie was seen at the stage door after the Sunday matinee of Hot Feet. What's up with that?

[mikem]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 7:19pm

I don't understand -- there is live singing, but the singers are never on stage? Ever? Do they come out at curtain call? I can't think of any other show in which the live singers aren't visible throughout the whole show...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 7:24pm

Dottie told me that the live singers do not come out at curtain call...very very strange.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:18pm

OK, walking by the theatre as the show is letting out and waiting at the stagedoor are two different things. Which of the two I'm guilty of, I'll never let you know.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:27pm

yeah, if they bring the show to new york, i say incorporate the band and singers into the set. i guess they don't want to rip-off Movin' Out w/ the split level set.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:17am

Direct from the Kalimba Entertainment website...notice the typos

"Now, Maurice White and Kalimba Entertianment has partnered with legendary tap dancer and Broadway actor Maurice Hines to develop a Broadway play titled "Hot Feet" which casptures the vitality of modern-day street life set to the time-tested muisic of Earth, Wind & Fire. "Hot Feet" will feature the direction and choreography of Maurice Hines. The captivating story was penned by hot MTV writer Heru Ptah, and is targeted to have broad demographic appeal. Financial services giant TransAmerica has come on board to finance and present this exciting show in associatin with Kalimba Entertainment. "Hot Feet" is scheduled to premiere at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. this winter, prior to its Broadway run , Spring 2006."

http://www.kalimbaentertainment.com/_main/about.html
Updated On: 4/3/06 at 12:17 AM

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 12:54pm

Not to intentionally revive this thread but I really didn't want to make a new one.

Just walked past the Hilton on my lunchbreak and they're doing load in and all the doors are open.

There is an enormous... hideous.. orange backdrop going in. Then coming BACK from lunch, I walked by the front of the theater (where they are sanding and resealing the doors) and there is a GIANT flatscreen TV up in the lobby playing scenes from the show.

Seriously, go check it out, I stood there for a long time mesmerized. The costumes look like my 7th grade modern dance unitards.

Saw my first commercial for this yesterday too, on channel 7. It looks odd because there is singing but it doesn't look like anybody onstage sings.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 12:57pm

how exciting!!! thanks for reporting back what you saw, Lea. i will definitely stop by the theater soon...Friday at the latest.

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:05pm

Yea for Matthew Kiernan! He's another 42nd Streeter who (like Mara Davi) is making his Broadway debut this season.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:07pm

I am thinking that the lead, Kalimba, is named more after the instrument made famous by Maurice White.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:37pm

I had never heard of a "kalimba" until I saw this show. What type of instrument is it. I heard that they've made changes to the show, and I'm wondering if they made changes to the dialogue in one of the 2nd act scenes. If I weren't at work, I would type one of the lines, but it will have to wait.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:39pm

i hope they kept ALL the dialogue in!!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:52pm

To answer my own question: Kalimba is an alternate name for the marmbula , a Caribbean folk musical instrument

The word reminded me of a combination of marimba and calypso.

Natalie: regarding Matthew, I could not help but notice him during the audition sequence. There was such a joy to him when he was dancing.

Updated On: 4/11/06 at 01:52 PM