SATURDAY
NIGHT FEVER THE MUSICAL
REBIRTHING
AN ICON
The
dedicated creative forces behind the new tour production of Saturday Night
Fever the Musical sheds some light about their journey in injecting a fresh
take on this 38-year-old beloved story without losing its heart and core
When John
Travolta signed up to play Tony Manero in the film Saturday Night Fever, little
did he know that the film would propel him to be an icon. This Hollywood star’s
career would often be associated with his performance on this film, which will
celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2017. Even today, fans will not be able to
forget how he brought a mix of toughness and vulnerability to the disco-loving
Tony and how perfectly executed his dance moves were in all the dance
sequences. Plus, the chemistry Travolta shared with co-star Karen Lynn Gorney
in and outside of the dance floor, who played the role of Stephanie Mangano
certainly added to the heart of the film.
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| Casting Director Tara Rubin |
Therefore,
when Casting Director Tara Rubin and Kaitlin Shaw were doing the casting search
for its talents for the stage production of Saturday Night Fever the Musical
that will be touring Asia, they were mindful of the iconic status the film
enjoyed and important it was to set the standards high—as they had always done
in their jobs for Broadway shows. “We approached casting this tour the same way
we would a Broadway show. We knew it would be a first-class production. So we
looked for great talents who seemed authentic to the time and place of the
film. We were also aware that we needed actors experienced enough to star in
the show and play these iconic roles,” said Rubin.
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| Award Winning Director Bobby Garcia |
Aside from
Rubin, Shaw and award winning director of the musical Bobby Garcia, TINA Award choreographer
Vince Pesce were also involved in the audition process. “The main cast,
especially Tony, have to dance very well. He needs to be a triple threat and a
star dancer so we put our auditioners through several challenging dance
routines,” said Vince.
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| Tony Award Scenic Director David Gallo |
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| TINA Award Choreographer Vince Pesce |
Eventually,
the cast unveiled their choice of their leads after rigorous rounds of
audition. Broadway talents Brandon Rubendall and Jenna Rubaiiwere chosen for
the roles of Tony Manero and Stephanie Mangano, respectively. “When Brandon and
Jenna walked into audition, I knew immediately that they were Tony and
Stephanie. They possess that complex
combination of grit and vulnerability and are both terrific actors. Add to that
they are excellent singers and dancers.
The triple threat combination is not easy to find,” said director Bobby
Garcia.
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| Tony and friends heating up the dance floor |
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| Doing the hustle, Manero-Style |
To bring the
reality of the film’s era onto the stage, TONY Award winning scenic designer
David Gallo, who have collaborated with Garcia a few times in the past, put a
lot of effort to create the right mood and environment so the narrative of the
musical is complete. “What's exciting about the set for Saturday Night Fever is
the way we will bring the audience into two worlds of Brooklyn. The drab and
grey streets by day that magically transform into color filled nights of
excitement in the disco,” said Gallo on what audiences will expect once the
show starts on September 4th at Istana Budaya, KL.
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| Brandon Rubendall as Tony Manero and Jenna Rubaii as Stephanie Mangano |
Pesce, who
grew up in the 70’s in the same neighbourhood where the movie was filmed, had a
clear memory of the disco movement and how the film had impacted him and his
community. He thought long and hard about the moves he would be choreographing
for the cast to perform alongside the
iconic tunes of Bee Gees’ Night Fever,
Stayin’ Alive, How Deep is Your Love, If I
Can’t Have You, Jive Talkin and More Than a Woman.
“I did go
back and look at the movie again just to make sure that I captured the gritty,
dynamic and social movement that shifted popular dance as we knew it. You will
definitely see the hustle, the finger point and lots of exciting disco dancing.
But we also have to create a world of 70’s movement that does not take place in
the disco as well—essentially, the pulse, frustration and energy of the streets
of Brooklyn. Plus, today’s sophisticated audiences are accustomed to the
intricate and dynamic dance styles from shows such as Dancing with the Stars
and so we have to deliver expanded dance sequences that will thrill,” he
opined.
All in all,
with these dedicated and reputable cast and award winning creative team members
spearheading this tour production, audiences from different walks of life can
be assured that they will be entertained from start to finish. With every
selection process and details carefully produced in the eyes of the many award
winners on-board this musical, audiences can expect a thrilling and colourful play!
The Broadway International Production of
Saturday Night Fever The Musical Asian Tour, brought to Malaysia by Milestone
Production, will play at Istana Budaya from Sept 4 to 13. Tickets are priced at RM568 (VVIP), RM398
(VIP), RM338 (CAT A), RM268 (CAT B), RM138 (CAT C) - (Ticket prices are
inclusive of 6% GST but not inclusive of RM4 ticketing fee). Current promo up
to Buy 4 Free 1 (weekend shows) and Buy 5 Free 1 (for weekday shows).You also
stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM100,000.00 in the Night Fever Lucky
Draw. Book your tickets at www.milestone-production.comThe event is presented by Milestone
Production and supported by Malaysia Major Events, Istana Budaya, and Gold
Sponsor Munchy’s. IOI Property is the Silver Sponsor and Palace Of The Golden
Horses and Palace Vacation Club is the Official Hotel.