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I |P|g| - * -- f (ABAR11 Page 7 Jackson s 5-star ?╟ Hitz^ it big at the Hacienda If I were putting together a mus- ical revue, Jerry Jackson would be the first guy I?╟╓d call. Jackson, writer/director and cho- reographer of the Tropicana?╟╓s ele- gant ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ production, has added another brightly-colored plume to his multi-faceted cap with ?╟úHitz,?╟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 this surprisingly, easy-to-like show were the seemingly endless stream of clever and colorful costumes and the dancing of Jeanne Houts.?╟Ñ Houts, who combines disarming beauty with the kind of dancing re- miniscent of a young Juliet Prowse, is centerstage for a major portion of the hour and 27-minute production and with good reason. She is strong, graceful and flawless, making even the most difficult lifts, turns and steps 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 astute analogy. ?╟úI think MTV has replaced the variety show on Amer- ican television, so our show is really just an extention of what the viewing public is accustomed to seeing at home.?╟Ñ And while some of the costuming was made locally by Bob Michaels, credit Jackson?╟╓s keen eye for some of the flash. ?╟úWe did not have a large budget,?╟Ñ said the creative UCLA grad. ?╟úIn fact, I found some of the costumes at bargain shops on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.?╟Ñ Jackson was also quick to praise the scenery design by Bob Kiernan, who certainly made the most of his first oppor- tunity in that field. Kiernan spent seven years as Frank Sinatra?╟╓s light- ing director but willingly accepted a chance to expand his talents into the set designs. ?╟úThe show was harder to do at this point in the ?╟ 80s than it would have been a few years ago,?╟Ñ said Jackson. ?╟úThere are more songs. As it 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. Jackson ?╟÷ wHitz?╟Ñ maker ?╟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?╟╓s and a visit next time you?╟╓re in town. ?╟÷Ron Delpit