Tuesday, May 01, 2007

We have something you don't have!!!!


I love Orlando!
Can you believe that someone here came up with the idea of a musical featuring the songs of 80's pop princess Debbie Deborah Gibson? "Electric Youth" premiering this Saturday at the Starlight Dinner Theater features fourteen of Debbie Gibson's most-loved songs, including "Out of the Blue," "Only in My Dreams," and "Lost in Your Eyes."
Other than agreeing to let the producers use her music, she had nothing to do with putting together this show (She might find herself saying that a lot on May 6).

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Mixed emotions! I love Debbie Deborah. But Oy! The story is kind of wild. They are definitely going with an Abba/Mamma Mia type show....though they seemed to forget the most important element of that hit musical.
KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID.
You can explain the plot of Mamma Mia in one sentence----
"On the eve of her wedding, a young woman reads her mother's diary and invites her three possible fathers to the attend the wedding."

Now compare that with the plot of "Electric Youth" taken from a press release.
Hold on and try to follow along....it won't be easy. I am NOT making this up:
"The story follows the adventures of a young couple from New York City named Randy and Tasha, who are recently engaged. The duo travel to the rural community of Fern Hill, Minnesota, to announce the news to Randy's parents. Upon their arrival, Randy and Tasha discover that Fern Hill is facing bankruptcy, and that the Wilsons are in danger of losing their farm, thanks to the mean-spirited machinations of wealthy town spinster, Emma Van Horn. Randy and Tasha, because of their experience working in a bank, hatch a plan to restore Fern Hill's economy by creating more places in the sleepy town for its local teens to frequent......

Wait there's more---

When Emma hears of their plans, she convinces her nephew, Keith, a more underhanded specimen than she is, to find out the specifics, so she can thwart Tasha and Randy's efforts. Keith finds just such an opportunity when he learns that Randy's younger sister, Kris, has been harboring a secret crush on him, and uses this to his full advantage. When Keith meets Tasha,
however, he in turn falls madly in love with her, and schemes to drive her and Randy apart.

And then the big climax---

How Tasha and Randy find their way back to each other, outwit Emma and Keith, and save Fern Hill, is the premise that drives the story of Electric Youth.

My God dreadfully wonderful....right? Maybe a kink or two they have to work out before it gets to Broadway...you think?


Listen I have to admit something....

I was partial to Tiffany even though Debbie grew up one town over from me in Merrick Long Island. Let's face it, as much as they tried to downplay it, it was definitely Tiffany vs. Debbie and this was light years before Britney vs. Christina.


Debbie was the prom queen.
Tiffany represented all the peeps from the wrong side of the tracks. She was the dirty girl. While Debbie was singing "Lost Inside Your Eyes", Tiffany was "I Think We're Alone Now".

Debbie was all about making out.
Tiffany was all about....sex.

Am I the only human being in the world who sees how picture perfect the casting would be of these two in a touring company of WICKED...the MUSICAL?

Well that is down the road for sure.
First up is "Electric Youth" at the lovely Starlight Dinner Theater here in Orlando starting May 5.
Here is the kicker.
Deborah Gibson herself is scheduled to attend the opening night performance. I definitely need to go that night to see this show.
but I need to go and experience this with a true thespian.
Hmmmmmmm......I know.
I'll get
actorschmactor to go with me.





11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you play Emma Van Horn? I'd fly to Orlando to see that!

A Lewis said...

You are right....we don't have Electric Youth playing anyplace near us. So, is there a market for this thing? You boys tell us how it goes.

Steve said...

God! We really were easily amused back then. Back when she was young and pure, we used to call her that slutty, little Debbie Gibson. Is she still young and pure, and better yet, what is she doing nowadays, anyway?

Bobby said...

I saw Debbie in concert back in 1989 in Orlando. Memories...

one3y3 said...

I'll always refer to her as "Debbie", and every time I think of her, "Only in My Dreams" plays in the background. Ah... the wonder years.

Kevin said...

And here I thought the chance to see a Debbie Gibson musical was "only in my dreams."

:)

Writer said...

So when's Tiffany coming out with a Musical. I'd much prefer seeing her. And why is Electric Youth in a theater, shouldn't it be in a mall??

Have fun! :)

Michael said...

If I may namedrop--I actually worked with Deborah a few years ago on tour. (Admit it, you're impressed.) She's a very good sport about her former status as teen idol and I bet she'll think this whole thing is a hoot. Can't wait to read a full review from you!

My adventures said...

big tiffany fan here... the singer and more importantly, the store!!!

Anonymous said...

Not to be a nitpicker here, but I think the Debbie Gibson trivia answer is actually that she is the youngest artist ever to WRITE, SING, and PRODUCE a number 1 song.

Even devil-child Leann Rhimes couldn't match that!

Anonymous said...

Just one of the plethora of reasons why I must move to Orlando(or a surrounding area)and soon. I have perused your site a bit and like what I have read thus far. Of course I found you through those wacky brunchers; Sorted Mikkell Spider et al. I will be back!

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