Alive & Kickin is a troupe composed of seniors who sing together periodically throughout the year in private concerts for a variety of senior focused organizations and fundraisers. In addition, they put on an original full length theatrical show annually that runs for a couple of weeks. The cast members range in age from 65 to 92. I was in Minneapolis to see my partner’s father in this year’s show entitled Unsung Heroes.
Wow, this one sort of blew me away. The show is constructed around voice over stories for each members’ selected unsung hero. There are the type of heroes you would expect – family members, teachers – as well as the types that surprise – the little red cabin that was the bedrock for one woman as she travelled through the seasons of her life. The stories were deeply felt and, alternatively, very dramatic, funny or heartfelt.
The songs which followed the stories ranged from Broadway to rap to rock to inspirational ballads, performed individually, or in groups of many different sizes and configurations. What made this evening extra special was that these intimate and personal stories were staged so beautifully. The cast was all in white amidst a handful of white pillars, candelabras and drapes. They remain seated onstage throughout the performance, standing and rearranging as the night progresses. Everyone was bathed in a beautiful white light as their pre-recorded unsung hero stories played prior to their musical numbers. The effect was a hauntingly elegant and almost ghost-like atmosphere, fitting for conjuring up stories of heroes and memories from their lives. The lighting was superb overall and enhanced the moods of the numbers from the Bojangles-inspired duet “I Hope You Dance” to the rock belting of Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”
Michael Matthew Ferrell is the Founder and Artistic Director of Alive & Kicking. As I understand, the members created their Unsung Hero stories and then Mr. Ferrell uses that information to shape the song selections for the show. The quality and depth of realness presented here – plus a healthy sprinkling of fun and variety sustained over three hours – point to a huge talent. And it that weren’t enough, Mr. Ferrell performs and leads the troupe in a fantastic white kilt.
I understand there is a senior themed dance show currently named “Half Time” planning for a Broadway run, directed by Jerry Mitchell. Jerry, we will be watching you. If you can manage at least half of the emotional storytelling and visual theatricality developed for ‘Unsung Heroes” in your show, then I will expect a big hit.