It may be ballet, but 'It's Still Rock and Roll To Me'

The Broadway production may have started the fire, but the Boston cast sure is keeping it blazing.

If you're a Billy Joel fan, you've probably always wondered what ever happened to Brenda and Eddie. Just how did the prom king and queen end up?

The pair are two of the five protagonists in "Movin' Out!," directed and choreographed by dance legend Twyla Tharp and set to the hits of five-time Grammy award winner Billy Joel. The show is actually a ballet masquerading as a musical that wants to be a rock concert when it grows up. There is no dialogue whatsoever -- Tharp lets Joel's lyrics tell the story, while her clever choreography provides the emotions.

In addition to Brenda and Eddie, the show also features three other characters from Joel's songs -- James (from "James") who dates Judy (from "Why Judy Why") and their friend Tony (from "Movin' Out"), who was working in a grocery store the last we heard of him.

Things don't go so well for the five. Brenda and Eddie's relationship goes awry quickly. Shortly thereafter, James and Judy are engaged, only to be separated when James, Tony, and Eddie are shipped off to Vietnam, but not before "Uptown Girl" Brenda finds her downtown man in Tony (don't worry -- Eddie gets over it). Act one ends with Tony and Eddie presenting a folded flag to poor Judy who is comforted by best friend Brenda.

Act two is the story of Tony and Eddie's mental demons. Tony pushes the ever-supportive Brenda away, to the tune of hit-song "Big Shot," while Eddie struggles with drug addiction.

The talented cast puts emotion and meaning into the songs that even the most devoted fan wouldn't have envisioned before seeing the show. Most notable is the unprecedented hard-rocking rendition of "We Didn't Start the Fire" which provides the soundtrack to the battle in which James loses his life. Further depth is added to this rock 'n' roll effect when he comes back as a ghost in Eddie's nightmares. Set to a beautifully choreographed flashback of "Goodnight Saigon," the number nearly draws tears from the audience.

Tharp's choreography, at times fun and at times poignant, is always dynamic and breathtaking. The cast executes it with precision, energy, and grace. The precision is perhaps the most important factor -- in some cases, it seems that one misstep will lead to serious injury.

While the entire cast is talented and enthusiastic, it is Eddie, danced by Ron Todorowski (original Broadway cast), who shines the brightest. With the audience fearing an inevitable face plant during a particularly acrobatic series of flips, there is no doubt that his abilities are something special. His flips and lengthy spin sequences drew mid-song ovations and nods of approval from Joel himself, who attended the show.

Aside from the incredible enthusiasm emanating from the performers themselves, the show was also fueled by a wonderfully energetic and talented band. Led by singer-pianist Darren Holden (whose renditions of Joel's hits are second only to Joel himself), the group won over even the skeptics. An Irish singer boasting top ten hits in his own country, Holden had the powerful voice, piano skills, and charisma to hold the audience during scene changes as well as a post-show rendition of "I'm in a [Boston] State of Mind."

The stage is completely devoid of scenery throughout the show, and only a small amount of large prop items are used, including several bars and a working red convertible. The lack of scenery is never an issue, as the space is filled with larger than life dance moves and energetic performers. Colorful costumes, which take you right back to the sixties and seventies, also add to the show's aesthetics. The ensemble members are to be commended for making countless costume and character changes.

If you've been saving your pennies for someday, like our friend Tony, this show is a worthy reason to break open the piggy bank; despite the expensive ticket prices (a seat in the second balcony will run you $69.50). The show is playing at the Colonial Theater until April 10 with shows on Tuesday through Sunday evenings and matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. If you're a Billy Joel fan or a theater fan or a ballet fan or have a pulse, take a night away from campus. After all, 'working too hard could give you a heart attack -ack -ack.'