Hot Feet First Preview 4-20-06

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:01am

Spoilers

After reading the scathing reviews of its initial run in Washington DC, I immediately bought a ticket to the first preview of Hot Feet, which had its NY debut last night at the Hilton Theater. Despite the shows flaws (and yes, there are many), I still enjoyed myself. No, it's not the best theater, but was it entertaining? Yes.

Let's start with the bad.

The book. A young girl Kalimba, wants so badly to be a famous dancer. She cuts school to audition for Mr. Serpentine's dance company and gets a part in the chorus. The current star, Naomi, is getting old and Kalimba eventually replaces her as the star of the dance company. Kalimba falls in love with Anthony, the choreographer, while the owner of the company, Victor, is falling in love with Kalimba. Kalimba's mother, who used to be a dancer herself, is against Kalimba's dream to become a dancer because only one in a million actually get a big break. Then there is this side story with the devil, Louie, who has Kalimba sell her soul to him in exchange for her becoming a famous dancer. Louie makes a deal with Victor, who already sold his soul to Louie, but the result is fatal. After Kalimba dances the "Hot Feet Ballet," while wearing the enchanted red shoes, instead of Louie taking her soul away from her, he takes her life and Kalimba dies upon completion of the ballet. That is a very abridged version of the book, and yes, it is as awful as it sounds.

The costumes were also awful. At the beginning, the ensemble was wearing multi-colored pants and shirts that are torn. During a scene with a city backdrop in the sunset, four people were wearing skin-tight body suits that blended in with the backdrop. Hideous. At one point, they were all wearing ripped leather pants and random tight shirts that showed a lot of skin. Some of the women had nude-colored tops with pasties on the breasts and some of the men were wearing what looked like random red pieces of cloth that barely covered their chests. And yes, all of the ensemble members are in excellent shape. In the beginning of Act 2, during the airplane dance sequence, they were all wearing silver suits and airplane goggles. Hilarious.

The acting wasn't top notch either. I think most of these people were picked to be in this show due to their extensive background in dance, not their amazing acting skills. But honestly, with the horrible book, no one could really deliver these lines and make them sound believable.

The good.

The music. I was totally unfamiliar with Earth, Wind and Fire before last night, but I found myself tapping my foot most of the show. I really enjoyed the music. Hardly any of the actors on stage did any of the singing though, since most of the singing was done backstage (assuming it wasn't prerecorded).

The dancing. Excellent. For the most part, I enjoyed Maurice Hines' choreography. The opening audition number was excellent, as was Kalimba and Anthony's dance at the end of Act 1 and the entire Hot Feet Ballet. The dancers up on that stage are all amazingly talented and looked like they were having so much fun.

Allen Hidalgo as Louie (the devil) was a bit over the top with his line delivery, but was definitely funny. Some of the lines he had were just so awful. Samanatha Pollino as Emma really doesn't know how to act yet, but she is still very young (probably under 10). Her part in the show was also pointless. Keith David as Victor was ok. He flubbed a couple of lines in Act 1, but caught himself...and his song in Act 2 when he was seducing Kalimba was very funny (probably for the wrong reasons though). Wynonna Smith as Naomi was very funny (again probably for the wrong reasons). Her dancing wasn't the best but she definitely delivered the lines to the audience for laughs (and they totally ate it up). Michael Balderrama as Anthony was excellent. He is am amazing dancer and was the best actor of the bunch. Ann Duquesnay (Tony winner for Bring in Da Noise...) was good. Her part wasn't huge but she has a good singing voice and made the most of her underwritten part. I enjoyed her acting in the scene she has with Keith David in Act 2. Vivan Nixon as Kalimba was fantastic. She is a brilliant dancer, is gorgeous, and has amazing stage presence...it is hard to keep your eyes off of her when she is on stage (which is for the majority of the show). For those of you who don't know, Vivian Nixon is Debbie Allen's daughter...and well deserving of the lead in a dance show.

I also stage doored after the show. The entire cast was extremely nice and all willing to sign. I got to meet Maurice Hines, who signed my playbill and my Bring Back Birdie poster. My congratulations to all the excellent dancers up there on stage. While not the best Broadway show overall, the dancing in Hot Feet was wonderful and I'm glad I got to see it live and from the front row.
Updated On: 4/21/06 at 11:01 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:05am

I love that you gave Maurice Hines your Bring Back Birdie stuff to sign. Did Chita ever sign it? I'd love to know her reaction. (sorry to thread jack)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:07am

Yes, I got Chita Rivera to personalize it for me. I also have Maurice Hines, Cleve Asbury and Jeb Brown's signatures on the poster.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:14am

So glad you enjoyed it. It was a wonderful evening. I loved the choreography, too. Sounds like you went in with an open mind. The audience seemed to love the show as well.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:22am

shill?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:23am

clearly.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:24am

yep.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 12:55pm

Shill away - dancers need jobs and this is a very talented lot!!

[Kalimba]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 1:08pm

Thanks, it feels nice to be appreciated. The dancers in this show are very talented.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:20pm

nice review, withoutatrace!
i somewhat wanna see this
i know you didnt like the book, but i actually think the story sounds sort of interesting, with Kalimba dying and all
i actually want this to do well!
*crosses fingers*

[ozone20]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:23pm

Is HOT FEET at TKTS?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:29pm

I didn't walk by TKTS last night, but I'm pretty sure it's there.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:29pm

Not too sure, but I got my tickets at DC's version of TKTS, when it played here a few weeks ago.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:35pm

Since EWF (Earth Wind & Fire) Is my all time favorite group, I want to see the show. But after reading the reviews in DC and hearing about the show I am going to go in not expecting the best. I cringed a bit over the character name of Mr. Serpentine (Clearly taken from the EWF song Serpentine Fire). And the lead's name being Kalimba (The instrument made famous by the group's leader Maurice White) It just seems a bit tacky. I am not a big fan of Mr. Hines either. But I will see it.

[ozone20]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:36pm

Yea, a friend of mine was at last nights preview too and loved the show. he was QUITE excited about it. said the book was weak but that it was so entertaining and the dancing was awsome. i want to see this despite what ive heard.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:47pm

I love Earth, Wind and Fire. Cannot wait to see it next Thursday.

[Amneris]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:00pm

I love Michael B =D He is one of the best dancers on broadway and hot =D

I had the honor of dancing for Mr. Hines at Broadway Dance Center when he came in by suprise one day in Frank Hatchetts Jazz Class. It was an honor because yes, I can dance but, I'm nowhere near where the HOT FEET dancers are.. etc etc and Mr. Hatchett moved me front and center right in front of Maurice so I was like WOOOA. It was the best feeling ever. He is so nice.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:28pm

is this sorta like 42nd street with great dancing but a horrible book? I was so disappointed when i saw 42nd street. I guess cause I'm not much of a dancer therefore I don't really care to watch all this dancing.

[timote316]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:38pm

I'm surprised they haven't reworked the set or something similar to get the singers onstage. Wasn't there much discussion about the music (and not being sure if its prerecorded) during the DC run, prompting an announcement before the show?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:39pm

well, 42nd street had good costumes. these are most amusing to look at. also, 42nd street was mostly tap. none of Hot Feet is tap. i am not a dancer but i was able to really appreciate the dancing in Hot Feet. the performers were that good.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:43pm

It was... eh.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:46pm

It opens on the 30th. A very short preview time. Wonder why they aren't taking longer.

[outovfashion07]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:46pm

Just FYI on the costumes... accorsing to my mother (a huge EW&F fan) at most of their live concerts they have people dancing on stage with costumes much like the ones in the trailer.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 4:48pm

Uncageg, I figured the shorter preview period was because of the pre-Broadway tryout in DC. Plus the break in between venues gave them time to rehearse any changes.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 5:11pm

I have seen them several times in concert in the 70's and 80's. They were always known for their over the top outfits and they also incorporated magic into thei shows. I can remember the big thing in the 70's with them was when their drummer and the drums spun while he was playing. In the times I have seen them, it has just been them onstage and later they started having female back-up singers.