A Southeast Texas Premiere Movin' Out

Posted by Lutcher Theater in Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX on Feb 13, 2008

(Orange, TX) – Movin’ Out, the Tony Award-winning new musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, plays in Orange at Lutcher Theater on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 7:30pm.

This engagement of Movin’ Out will mark the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana premiere of the show that critics say revolutionized musical theatre as we know it. So exhilarating and soul-stirring, it practically bursts out of the theatre, said Time Magazine. Movin’ Out is electrifying! The union of Tharp and Joel is one made in heaven, raved the Chicago Tribune.

Told through the choreography of Twyla Tharp and more than two dozen of Billy Joels songs, Movin’ Out is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever. Songs like Its Still Rock and Roll to Me, We Didnt Start the Fire, and Pressure all come together to weave a musical backdrop which beautifully complements Tharps innovative choreography. The songs and dance take audiences through a poignant narrative comprised of three main elements: post-World War II idealism, the Vietnam War and its subsequent unrest, and finally, survival. Many will recognize Movin’ Out’s main characters, as they come straight from Joels lyrics.

Theres Brenda and Eddie from Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Tony and Sergeant OLeary from Movin’ Out, Judy from Why, Judy, Why, and James from James and their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever. Movin Out is a story told without language, Tharp says. The movement and the action tell the story, the experience, the emotional resonance, comes from action rather than language.

The Broadway production of Movin Out played for over three years, closing on December 11, 2005, after 28 previews and 1,303 regular performances. It joined the pantheon of great Broadway dance musicals when it surpassed the runs of Contact, Fosse and Bring in Da Noise/Bring in Da Funk. Movin Out received two 2003 Tony Awards, one for Ms. Tharp (Best Choreography) and one for Mr. Joel (Best Orchestrations).

Movin Out features a scenic design by Kelly Tighe, costume design by Suzy Benzinger, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Duncan Robert Edwards. Musical Supervision is by Rob Cookman.

This performance is funded in part by the City of Orange, Entergy, H.E.B., and the Texas Commission on the Arts through the Southeast Texas Arts Council. DuPont Sabine River Works is the corporate sponsor of this performance.

There are less than 200 seats remaining for Movin Out. Tickets are $35.00. To purchase tickets, log on to www.lutcher.org, call 745-5535 (Golden Triangle) or 1-800-828-5535 (Louisiana), or stop by the box office at 707 Main, Orange, Texas. For more information visit www.lutcher.org. This show is not appropriate for children under 13.

 

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