Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) production of We Will Rock You certainly had its work cut out for it recently when it premiered the evening after TUTS’ other show, Something Rotten!, which opened to excellent reviews. Fortunately, not only was We Will Rock You up to the challenge, it was ready to slay. This production of We Will Rock You is absolutely electrifying!
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Queen. As such, one would expect crowd-pleasing musical performances. And TUTS doesn’t disappoint – under the mastery of music director Christopher King, the cast and orchestra deliver excellent performances of Queen’s work, led by two exceptional stars – Danny Malena and Jessica Spenst. But it’s not just the music here that makes this production so strong. The overall work is impressively creative in its vision.
Director Saccha Dennis is responsible for this unique and entertaining vision. As scripted by Ben Elton, the show is set many years in the future, when the world is now known as the iPlanet and ruled by the Killer Queen. Music is banned and all instruments have been exiled to a hidden graveyard. While this plot may seem far-fetched, it’s enjoyable to watch it play out onstage. Dennis has created a dark, exciting, sci-fi inspired world. Combined with Shay Kuebler’s sophisticated and interesting choreography, Brian Ball’s imaginative post apocalyptic/video game/Matrix-like costumes, Robert Sondergaard’s stunning set and lighting design – and as mentioned, the sensational musical performances – this show is a thrilling feast for the eyes and ears.
Leading the show with their superb talent, confidence, and skilled acting, are Malena and Spenst as the outcast teenagers Galileo and Scaramouche. Galileo is the story’s saviour, destined to try to lead the rebels in finding music and thereby restoring freedom. He’s a dreamer and constantly hearing snips of famous music from years ago in his head. Scaramouche is moody, rebellious, and skeptical of everyone and everything.
Danny Malena as Galileo, and Jessica Spenst as Scaramouche. Photo credit: Emily Cooper
Malena charms immediately when he enters the stage. His portrayal of Galileo as a dreamer is sweet and enduring. Moments later, he rocks the house with his solo “I Want to Break Free”, showcasing an incredible voice and wonderful dance ability as he flies around the stage, proving himself to be a rock star through and through.
But something equally amazing happens a few minutes later. Spenst makes her entrance. She’s defiant towards the Gaga girls (the bright, shiny girls) as they bully her. She shuts them down and digs deep inside herself to deliver “Somebody To Love” with riveting emotion and sensational vocals, including some spectacular riffs.
From that point on, we’re off to the races as Malena and Spenst take us with them on their journey – running from the Killer Queen’s henchmen, meeting the rebel Bohemians, and taking us on a wicked adventure filled with electrifying renditions of Queen songs such as “Under Pressure”, “Headlong”, “Who Wants to Live Forever”, “We Are The Champions”, and of course “We Will Rock You”, with help from the rest of the company. Malena and Spenst’s portrayals are genuine, creating classic teenage coming-of-age vibes. They’re both very enjoyable heroes to root for.
Jennifer Suratos as Oz, and Tanner Zerr as Brit. Photo credit: Emily Cooper
Simon Auclair-Troughton is also brilliant as Buddy, offering great comic relief, and he’s an excellent singer as well. In fact, Auclair-Troughton gets the show off to a fun start, acting as a hype guy at the top of the show. As the show’s villainess, Killer Queen, Steffanie Davis has fierce stage presence and killer vocals (no pun intended); and Tanner Zerr and Jennifer Suratos contribute some great moments of comedy and drama, as well as impressive singing as Brit and Oz. I especially enjoyed Zerr’s playful, goofy persona; and Suratos’ dynamite singing, full of tender and powerful emotions in “No One But You”.
All of the musical numbers are performed to Kuebler’s exceptional choreography. It starts with “Radio Ga Ga” at the beginning of the show. Despite the purposefully simplistic choreography of this piece, there’s also a sophistication, foreshadowing the brilliance to come in the following musical numbers. Kuebler is obviously a choreographer skilled in many different styles, and throughout the show we see shades of voguing, contemporary, country, funk, and jazz, all welcomingly appropriate for the show, and all done with maturity in musicality, details, formations, and use of space.
For example, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is over-the-top fun; “Fat Bottomed Girls” is sassy (and the lit-up costumes are super cool!); “We Will Rock You” is simple, but very effective; “Killer Queen” is mature and compelling (this is where the shades of voguing are), and “Another One Bites the Dust” is intimidating and thrilling, incorporating the use of baseball bats and large mirrors. Dance captain Haley Allen shines throughout the show, in both her dancing and characterization.
Steffanie Davis (centre) as Killer Queen, with the female ensemble. Photo credit: Emily Cooper
The show kept me incredibly engaged the entire time. There was always so many interesting visuals on stage that commanded my attention. Sondergaard’s set pieces, consisting of metal stairs are so creatively used that they’re capable of taking us to so many places throughout the journey. There’s also some very inventive use of video screens. Sondergaard’s lighting design also creates a rock concert feel, especially during the final section of the show.
And this show is so fun! There are a ton of popular music references, including some very clever up-to-date ones (ie. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), paralleling the humour in We Will Rock You’s sister show this summer, Something Rotten! (which is full of musical theatre references). Sometimes the fourth wall is even broken, to amp up some more fun with audience participation (don’t worry, you won’t get picked on).
As I watched Galileo and Scaramouche on their mission, I felt like I was watching a classic summer adventure movie – where the leads, who up until this point have lived normal-ish lives, are suddenly thrown into a situation where they have to save the world. And I was here for it! Especially under the summer night sky, and especially with the iconic songs of Queen, the experience was simply amazing. I’ve never seen TUTS do a show like this before, and I’m glad they’ve decided to go in this exciting, new direction.
While I suspect most people will say their favourite part of this show is the music by Queen, my favourite aspect of this production is its heart. The heartfelt sincerity that Malena and Spenst’s characters exude not only towards each other, but also in staying true to themselves and doing what they believe in, is touching and inspirational. And that’s always been the message that TUTS has delivered in its shows throughout the years; in fact, I consider that to be the spirit of TUTS, period. We Will Rock You will have you singing along, dancing in your seats, and will steal your heart by the end of the night.
Thank you to everyone who’s been reading my reviews and inviting me to review their shows! I’m now taking a break for the rest of the summer. I look forward to returning in September, with the start of the 2022/2023 season. See you at the theatre!
We Will Rock You, presented by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) runs until August 27 at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. Visit TUTS’ website for ticket information.