Dirty Dancing – Hamburg – November 1st 2006

A very spontaneous trip to Hamburg this time… but sometimes trips like that are the best. ;)
My first time seeing the show in the middle of the week and despite a few empty seats here and there it was quite fully booked. The audience was only average though – I have definitely seen better audiences at this show. They did clap in the expected moments but they didn’t seem to be really enthusiastic about the show (well actually – I don’t blame them for hat. Hahaha).
The show itself…. Well, no change there. It’s still nothing special – just a play with music that lives off the success of the movie.  

I was really happy I git the chance to see Dominik Schulz as Johnny Castle this time – my 3rd Johnny in only my 4th show – not bad I’d say. He was a complete Macho-Johnny through and through. Very different from Peter Horemans and Martin van Bentem but I liked the way Dominik played the character. His acting was great. And I liked the fact that his dancing looked more „natural“ than, for example, Martin’s dancing. The reason is simple: Dominik’s dancing wasn’t perfect and that’s what made him believable on stage. After all Johnny didn’t go to some dance school, he’s no professional dancer – so his dancing should look natural and shouldn’t be pure perfection. 

Ina Trabesinger was on as Baby again. I really want to see someone else in the role again. Ina isn’t bad on stage but I just don’t like the way she plays the character. She makes Baby look like a real nerd. Her facial expressions are rather weird as well.

My second time seeing Sarah Schilke as Penny. I still miss Rachel in the role but Sarah did really well. Looked very comfortable on stage and her dancing is fantastic.

Franziska Lessing was on as Lisa again. Having seen Daniela Harbauer lately I have to admit I wasn’t that impressed with Franziska this time. The „Hula Song“ was great though – had me in fits of laughter. But beside that I prefer Daniela in the role.

And now on to my main reason for watching the show again: Marc Seitz was on as Neil Kellerman. Finally I managed to see him… took me ages, I know. And what can I say? He was absolutely brilliant. Just what I think Neil should be like – a bit weird, a bit mean from time to time and (not to forget) quite full of himself. I don’t like the way Jörg Neubauer plays the character and now I’m happy to see it’s actually possible to play Neil in a completely different way. Only one thing I have to say: I miss Marc’s „In the still of the night“ when he’s on as Neil. His part was covered by Thomas Klotz and I have to admit I wasn’t really happy with his version of the song. And I like Thomas’ voice… it just didn’t seem to suit that specific song. His „We shall overcome“ on the other hand was great.

I won’t write my views on all the other performers. Have to admit I didn’t pay a lot of attention to everyone as I was busy watching a completely different Neil Kellerman… hehehe.
But I can say that everyone did a great job (from what I saw). The show is… well… rather crap but the performers are definitely doing their best to make it enjoyable for the audience. 

So, thanks for a fun evening during and after the show – I’m still not convinced potatoes and chocolate (McDonalds Schokobällchen) are a good mix though. ;)