The walk-through to Stage 42 is a curious thing. At 422 West 42nd street, the Off-Broadway cast of Trip of Love prepares for their two o’clock matinee performance and an audience of young to-old huddles past enlarged neon-mushrooms on theatre walls that seem to glow deeper and deeper. I hold my breath. Although the visual high is bringing me a sense of peace, another voice speaks to me: Will this musical be comedic, or a spoof? The sixties to me seemed nothing but an era of endless love thrown in all directions…with flower power of course.
Trip of Love is created, directed and choreographed by the brilliant James Walski. Mr. Walksi captures triple threat theatre in its purest form, and his cast does not fail to deliver since their world premiere in Osaka, Japan in 2008. Trip of Love is the official “feel good” musical starring sparkling triple threats Brandon Leffler, Marina Lazzaretto, & Austin Miller, as well as the completely dynamic Bahiyah Hibah. This mega show with its gorgeous three-dimensional set artwork, causes you to reflect on the ups and downs of the flower power era.
Feel free to sing along with the cast that packs a punch in the most dazzling costumes I have ever seen. Some of my favorite sixties tunes, like Where the Boys Are (Connie Francis), These Boots are Made for Walkin, and Somebody to Love were sung in this grand spectacle as well as the unforgettable melody of Moon River.
One will definitely feel rejoiced after taking a trip to Stage 42. I demand (with love of course) everyone take their trip to Trip of Love. The trip will be worth it!
-Alexa Christina Politis
