THE HANGOVER REPORT – Al Blackstone’s FREDDIE FALLS IN LOVE falls short of its not-so-lofty aspirations

Matt Doyle and Melanie Moore in Al Blackstone's "Freddie Falls in Love" at the Joyce Theater.

Matt Doyle and Melanie Moore in Al Blackstone’s “Freddie Falls in Love” at the Joyce Theater.

This weekend , I caught Freddie Falls in Love, Al Blackstone’s new rom-com “dansical” at the Joyce Theater in Chelsea (where it’s scheduled to run roughly two weeks). Director/choreographer Mr. Blackstone – best known for his work on the popular television show So You Think You Can Dance? – here sets to dance a parade of recordings of instantly recognizable pop hits to frame the straightforward story of a young man’s search for love.

Unfortunately, the production falls short of its not-so-lofty aspirations. Shortly after the curtain rises, a certain monotony creeps into the performance, despite the show’s relatively short running time of just over an hour. A comparable show that quickly comes to mind is Susan Stroman’s Contact, which also uses recorded music and dance to tell its story. But unlike that Tony-winning hit musical (of which I have very fond memories), Freddie Falls in Love‘s theatrical and choreographic vocabulary is limited, lacking Ms. Stroman’s sophisticated and compelling use of space, movement, and character development, often resorting to simple (choreography is much more than being synchronized) but snappy jazz choreography that’s detached from the story at hand.

Nevertheless, the cast is game and sprightly, performing with sparkling smiles throughout. Broadway charmer Matt Doyle plays the lovelorn man at the show’s center. By design, he’s given limited dancing to perform, which is fine. That he’s given little else to do (e.g., sing, recite dialogue) besides sulk silently and look pretty onstage is a mystery and a sorely missed opportunity. As the primary object of his affections, Melanie Moore – a So You Think You Can Dance? champion – comes off best, dancing and acting (silently, of course, but her facial expressions were genuinely touching) with commitment and a freedom that was a joy to watch.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED

 

FREDDIE FALLS IN LOVE
Off-Broadway, Musical/Dance
The Joyce Theater
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through August 3

Categories: Dance, Off-Broadway, Theater

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