Bring your ear plugs and get ready to blast off with what is called a “jukebox musical” of the ’80s. I don’t remember the ’80s like this, but then I was considered a fairly sane individual at that time. If you desire some of what the ’80s offered – shrieking guitars and sappy ballads by Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Styx, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake, Starship, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue and Journey to just name a few – this is the show for you.
Some of the 28 tunes include Don’t Stop Belivin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight This Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is. If somewhere in this conglomeration of what was sometimes known as “poodle rock” (because of the crazy hairstyles) something appeals to you, this show just might be for you.
It’s 1987 on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. New in town, an innocent, hopeful, young actress is looking to make it big in show business. She meets the big time guy and the wannabe rock star, gets dumped, picked up, falls to the bottom of the heap and finds herself – out of desperation – a reluctant stripper.
The book by Chris D’Arienzo is ludicrously predictable, with a fatuous storyline and very loud music blasting the roof off the theatre. This has been termed “cheesy sleaze,” but may be someone’s cup of tea (tea in this case means drugs and inferred sex). It’s not mine.
Not for those younger than 18
Where: San Jose Center For the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
Through: Feb. 3
Tickets: $20 – $75.
Details: (408)792-4580 or visit www.broadwaysanjose.com.
