FLASHDANCE The Musical

You knew it had to happen (especially after KIA's commercials starring Mark Kelly made Michael Sembello's "Maniac" popular all over again... LOL)

FLASHDANCE the movie is now FLASHDANCE the stage musical and about to tour the UK. Giorgio Moroder, composer of the main theme song, has reworked the tunes for the production. “Maniac”, “Manhunt”, “Gloria”, “I Love Rock and Roll” and the Academy Award winning title track “Flashdance – What a Feeling” are all part of the show.

Here's the info from the THEATRE ROYAL (UK), which will be premiering it from Jul 19th to Aug 2nd:

"The first ever tour of the World Premiere production of FLASHDANCE is set to take Plymouth by storm!

Set in Pittsburgh, USA, FLASHDANCE tells the story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.

The show features an iconic score including the smash hit "Maniac", along with “Manhunt”, "Gloria", “I Love Rock & Roll” and the Academy Award winning title track "Flashdance - What a Feeling".

Full of pulsating raw energy and breathtaking choreography by Arlene Phillips (Grease, Strictly Come Dancing, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever) FLASHDANCE is an unmistakably unique musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds. It promises to be the musical event of the year – so take your passion and make it happen!"

(Funny how the official Theatre Royal site tells you more about the crew than the cast. Hmmm...)

KIA Maniac

If you had told me my mother would go ga-ga over a commercial, especially one with references to a dance movie from the 80's, I would have taken your temperature or referred you to the local mental ward, but she has: the KIA "Maniac" car commercial...!

My mother NEVER has seen FLASHDANCE, and whenever I tended to play music from the movie, she either left the room or asked me to turn it down. Now, however, KIA has managed to make it, and Michael Sembello's Maniac (albeit adjusted for selling cars rather than dancing), irresistible to her somehow. (Subliminal advertising? Or just the cute teddy-bear of a guy, Mark Kelly, playing the Jennifer Beals part, got her hooked? Hmmmm...)

Mom even made me DVR the commercial so she could watch it over and over again. The excuse was that she wanted to see if that's him really doing all those moves. (Sure, sure, and can she sell me swamp land in Arizona while she's at it?) Given the editing of the piece, I had to burst her bubble and insist the jumper probably had assistance making the leap over the car, i.e. a mini-tramp or springboard, but it still makes for a great shot. And she now finds the music bouncy and fun and keeps mentioning how it would be nice if I didn't park my car so close as she doesn't think she could clear 2! - now I really AM worried!! LOL

(Guess this means I can trot out my FLASHDANCE tapes once more and actually listen at normal volumes finally! Better hide the cars in the meantime, though.)

Check out Mark Kelly's MySpace page for more info on the actor in the Kia "Maniac" Commercial...