Power Balladz

at the Midtown Theater

Reviewed by Mark Peikert

August 19, 2010


Consider "Power Balladz" to be the niche version of "Rock of Ages." Rather than strewing the stage with the corpses of '80s rock, creators Dan Nycklemoe, Mike Todaro, and Peter Rothstein have taken a more exclusionary approach, allowing only those songs they have deemed to be true power ballads. The book is negligible (the entire evening feels like an extended karaoke concert), and the performances barely exist, but I somehow found "Power Balladz" to be more entertaining than that other jukebox rock musical playing a few blocks away.

Credit the lack of interest on the creators' part in stringing together a plot. "Power Balladz" is just high school friends Dieter (Dieter Bierbrauer) and Scott (Scott Richard Foster) rocking out to a few of their favorite songs, eventually joined on stage by a surprise guest, their classmate Mary (Mary Mossberg), who just happens to be in the audience while in town for business. That she was prescient enough to pack a leather bustier and hot pants for her business trip is neither here nor there and fits in with the overall cheesy charm of the show.

All three boast stellar voices, but there's nothing particularly original happening. There are some attempts at validating the choice to devote an evening to the titular tunes, but mostly the audience has gathered to hear singers belt out the songs they love—and belt them out they do. The show's 90 minutes are littered with classic songs, from Heart's "Alone" to Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City." Gone are the multiple, tedious plots of "Rock of Ages," replaced by loud rock music, flashing lights, and some inventive staging from director Todaro.

For anyone who wants to relive a time when music was loud and the hair was big, "Power Balladz" (which also features a post-show karaoke fest with the band) is the champion.

Presented by Bruce Johnson, Mike Todaro, and Dan Nycklemoe at the Midtown Theater, 163 W. 46th St., NYC. Opened Aug. 19 for an open run. Mon. and Thu., 9 p.m.; Fri., 7 and 10 p.m.; Sat., 6 and 10 p.m. (Fri., Aug. 20, 9 p.m. only; no performance Sat., Aug. 21, 10 p.m.; additional performance Sun., Aug. 22, 9 p.m.) (212) 352-3101, (866) 811-4111, www.theatermania.com, or www.powerballadz.com. Casting by Adam Caldwell.
 
 
Subscribe to Back Stage

More Off Broadway

Ugly One

NY Review: 'The Ugly One'
Marius von Mayenburg's sharp satire on the nature of identity and the inescapable human bent for conformity is a wic... More »

    Actor's Resources

    Search
    Casting    		 Message
    Board    		 Weblogs Yellow
    Pages
    Find
    Talent    		 Events
    Calendar    		 Video Email
    Newsletters
    NY Actor LA Actor Digital
    Edition    		 FAQ /
    Customer
    Service

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Unscripted Blog


    View Other Blogs »       Visit Unscripted »

    Sponsors

    Back Stage Video

    Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, talks about opening every submission and what he wants to see in a headshot.; casting; Duncan Stewart; headshot; new york city; open submissions; Duncan Steward, director of casting, talks about what he wants from an actor in a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and lack of ego.; advice; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; tips; Duncan Stewart, director of casting, talks about what he expects from an audition and common mistakes actors make.; advice; auditions; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; Alaine Alldaffer breaks down the real role of a casting direcor.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting; casting director; Grey Gardens; play; stage; theater; Casting director Alaine Alldaffer talks about casting "Saved" and all the misconceptions about being an actor in New York City.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting director; NYC theatre; play; saved; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what actors need to know before walking into an audition. (Part 1 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. (Part 1 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how to give your best audition. (Part 2 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. Need only beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teshner; soap opera; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about auditioning for soap operas. (Part 3 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; Videos for the Back Stage News & Features section.

    Events Calendar

    MOST POPULAR MOST E-MAILED

    ADVERTISEMENT