They're together again. All the teen-aged descendants of Mickey and Judy, and they're putting on their own show, though on a stage and not in a barn. That's the new "Fame," opening today. It's a remake of the 1980 film, though in today's version, as in real life, the school is named after Fiorello LaGuardia, the one-time mayor, and not just the New York High School for Music and Art.
It's bright and lively, with splendid song and dance, but on the debit side, we are faced with all the cliches among the youngsters-those who are untalented, or arrogant, or repressed. We all know the types, and they fill both our movie screens and our lives.
The school is the same, the pressure the same. Kids like Debbie Allen, who shone 29 years ago, has grown up to become the principal. Others from that film – Richard Belzer, Irene Cara, Boyd Gaines, Isaac Mizrahi, Sal Piro, Gene Anthony Ray and Meg Tilly, to name a few – have gone on to fill out careers of all types.
Today's faculty is extremely impressive, led by Charles S. Dutton, but also including Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth. Grammer works diligently to show young musicians the importance of Bach and Beethoven, and Dutton, dealing with kids off the streets, even if they did survive rigorous auditions, is an awe-inspiring figure as he labors to show the teenagers how important discipline and honesty are when it comes to preparation for a career, even one that sounds as ephemeral as "entertainer."
Kevin Tancharoen directed from a screenplay by Allison Burnett, who adapted the 1980 screenplay by Christopher Gore. Marguerite Derricks did the brilliant choreography, using practically every style. To me, the dancing was the high spot.
And there's exciting young talent all over the place. Praise to all of them, but I was especially impressed by Naturi Naughton as Denise, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle as Joy, Collins Pennie as Malik, Kay Panabaker as Jenny, Paul McGill as Kevin, Kherington Payne as Alice and Paul Iacono as Neil.
Yes, a cliched screenplay, but also some fine music and dancing, bright young performers and, if it rains, the motion picture palace is a fine place to stay dry.
At multiple locations.
–Joe