Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

ent001643-043

Image

File
Download ent001643-043.tif (image/tiff; 101.72 MB)

Information

Digital ID

ent001643-043
    Details

    Publisher

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    If 1 were putting together a mus- cal revue, Jerry Jackson would be he first guy I?╟╓d call. Jackson, writer/director and cho- reographer of the Tropicana?╟╓s ele- gant ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ production, nas added another brightly-colored plume to his multi-faceted cap with ?√ß?╟ Httz,?╟Ñ a hot new *80s-styled music show at the Hacienda. The music covers a wide variety of recognizable hits from the ?╟ 80s, but the most impressive thing about :his surprisingly, easy-to-like show were the sefeminglv endless stream of clever and colorful costumes and he dancing of Jeanne Houts.?╟Ñ Houts, who combines disarming oeauty with the kind of dancing re- miniscent of a young Juliet Prowse, ?║ centerstage for a major portion of he hour and 27-minute production ind with good reason. She is strong, graceful and flawless, making even he most difficult lifts, turns and tteps seem effortless. She is comple- mented nicely by adagio partner Barry Morgan. ?╟úThis is sort of an MTV in a showroom,?╟Ñ said Jackson, making a istute analogy. ?╟úI think MTV has eplaced the variety show on Amer- can television, so our show is really ust an extention of what the viewing ittblie is accustomed to seeing at iome.?╟Ñ And while some of the costuming vas made locally by Bob Michaels, credit Jackson?╟╓s keen eye for some >f the flash. ?╟úWe did not have a large budget/'' ;aid the creative UCLA grad, ?╟úin act, l found some of the costumes it bargain shops on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles." Jackson was also }uick to praise the scenery design ay Bob Kiernan, who certainly made the most of his first oppor- tunity in that field. Kiernan spent *even years as Frank Sinatra?╟╓s light- ng director but willingly accepted a chance to expand his talents into the set designs. "The show was harder to do at this point in the ?╟ 80s than it would nave been a few years ago,?╟Ñ said lackson. ?╟úThere are more songs. As X stands there are about 50 songs in the show and we had a tough time choosing which ones to keep.?╟Ñ He made good selections, how- ever, it might be a good idea to add something from Prince?╟╓s collection at a later point. After all. His Pur- pleness, despite his controversy, has been a major force in ?╟ 80s music. ?╟úHitz?╟Ñ does have some down mo- ments, a weak opening song and a corny Cyndi Lauper number (?╟úGirls Just Want to Have Fun?╟Ñ), both of which seem to break the rhythm of the show. However, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Vocals of lead singers Richie Sacks and Marilyn Kaye are gener- ally well done, although each has some ups and downs due to the wide range of material. Again, Jackson?╟╓s genius and inge- nuity in conception and costuming as well as the many different set back- drops give ?╟úHitz?╟Ñ the look of a show mounted from a much larger budget. At $8.95, this small revue rates as one of the best bargains in town, as well as a pleasant surprise on stage. Give it 3 ? α? α? α?╟╓$ and a visit next time you're in town. ?╟÷Rop Delpit FLIRTY DANCING?╟÷?╟úHitz?╟Ñ stars Jeanne Houts and Barry Morgan