The musical merely extends the legacy that began with the Academy Award-nominated movie and continued with the Emmy Award-winning television show starring Debbie Allen and Janet Jackson. All envisioned by David De Silva (a.k.a. Father Fame), the story lines revolve around the High School of the Performing Arts in New York City. Along with the High School of Music and Art, it drew a diverse group of students from the five boroughs of the city to centers where they could develop their talents with the hope of using them to become successful. De Silva conceived the movie in support of the powerful effect of the arts in education. His works have inspired several other “Fame” schools, including the Liverpool School of the Arts, founded by Paul McCartney.

As with the movie and the television show, Fame: The Musical features a group of these talented students of different ethnicities and of different social classes, all stretching toward the top. It opens in 1980 with their fight to fall within the top five percent and gain acceptance into the school (“Pray I Make P.A.). And, for those who can open the door, the struggles are only beginning. While the students in the musical have an awareness of the movie, the teachers drag them to reality: “If you believe you’re gonna live forever or envision dancing on top of cars down 46th Street, you are humming the wrong tune!”

The musical follows through to graduation — this particular group of students is the final class to graduate from the High School of the Performing Arts before it combines with the High School of Music and Art to form LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts. Along the way, the some remain idealistic (“I Want To Make Magic”), others become wise (“Think of Meryl Streep”).
While Fame: The Musical mimics De Silva’s original creation, José Fernandez scripted the book, Jacques Levy wrote the lyrics, and Steve Margoshes (The Who’s Tommy, Smokey Joe’s Café, the revival of Grease) wrote the music. Together with director/choreographer Lars Bethke, they create an emotional production that portrays tensions between races, social classes, and individuals with fiery desires to reach the top.

Yes, that means Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, Mowlgi, Baloo, Louie, Ariel, Prince Eric, Ursula the Sea Witch, Sebastian, and more will embark upon an adventure involving a heinous attempt by Cruella De Vil to capture all 101 Dalmations.

Like other Disney On Ice performances, this will involve spectacular footwork and amazing special effects that never cease. True to the spirit of Feld’s visionary entertainment, Walt Disney’s World On Ice benefits from all that came before it, such as The Wizard of Oz On Ice, Walt Disney’s World On Ice: The Little Mermaid; Walt Disney’s World On Ice: Beauty and the Beast; and The Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The international figure skating stars include Sabirna Crotenko (Canada), Michael Kho (Canada), Axel Mederic (France), Viatcheslav Kounetsov (Russia), Yulia Mysinka (Russia), Delene MacKenzie (South Africa), and Bob Moskalyk (U.S.A.). Feld’s innovative team uses the skaters as vehicles for their spectacular creation.

Performances begin at 7pm from March 16 – 21 and at noon and 3pm on March 20 – 21.

The performance will feature new and re-created choreography by Artistic Director Della Cowall. Company members Liz Clunk and Jill Gagliano will perform the 1996 duet “It Could Happen,” a piece about falling down and rising again. Set to music by the Penguin Café Orchestra, it challenges the dancers’ stamina levels. Along with Franklin & Marshall’s Jessica Beshore and Megan Williams-Kief, Clunk and Gagliano will perform Cowall’s latest work, ”All the News That’s Fit to Print,” featuring excerpts from the New York Times set to John Adams’ and Ryuchi Sakamota’s compositions.

Cowall will perform two solos — Ara Fitzgerald’s “Leverage: A Duet for One” and “Molly.” The Fitzgerald piece examines sibling rivalry and a poignant and quirky manner. “Molly” exhibits a cheerleader dealing with a loss of youth and culturally defined beauty.

Beshore will perform a duet with Franklin & Marshall faculty member Julie Brodie. In addition, Brodie will present a recent group work choreographed for six Franklin & Marshall dance students.

Cowall’s Youth Modern Dance Class, consisting of six- to ten-year-old girls, will present a work-in-progress that utilizes hula hoops. The class has received much publicity of late, as The Née Danse Company invited the girls from the YWCA to participate in the program.

As noted in MODE’s feature article this month, The Née Danse Company has recently had its lease terminated and continues to search for a new space. Donations will be collected at the door and will be spent on moving expenses.

Celebrity dinner guest help to move the evening’s events. All of the ingredients for a horrid crime come together for this — a crowd, rare artifacts, and a mystery. At the conclusion of the evening, the attendees will cast votes toward the villain, culminating in champagne for the victorious sleuths.

Brought to the area by Open Stage, the group of six plus a musical accompanist blends classic scenes, songs, and improv, drawing from the best of the company’s material. The comedians have sculpted their best personalities while on stage with Second City, including Wayne Campbell of “Wayne’s World” and Martin Short’s Ed Grimley.