Welcome to the abstract, surreal world of CONTACT, originally done by Susan Stroman. Director/Choreographer Tome Cousin does a great job of re-creating and re-staging Stroman's choreography; the ensemble is a pleasure to watch.
Part 1 was effective and fun with the sexy servant, fun-loving Girl-On-Swing, and silly Aristocrat. Kudos to them for putting a swing on the NSMT stage, and kudos to Sean Ewing for his impressive acrobatics.
Part 2 was saved by Sally Mae Dunn as "wife" whose acting and dancing abilities effectively carried the act. Unfortunately, Cousin decided to focus on finding some humor in the situation to lighten the mood. The scene would have been stronger if he had focused on the dramatic texture and emotional devastion it had required. No one should laugh during that scene. But the dancing was fantastic.
Part 3 fared better thanks to handsome Jarrod Emick whose emotional arc reached everyone in the audience. Cousin did some nice effects with movement and lighting. Examples include the "Walk/Don't Walk" and "Simply Irresistable" segments. If he could have brought the scene to a stronger emotional level, the sharp, snappy dancing would have created more of an impact.
With her sick extensions, Naomi Hubert as Girl In The Yellow Dress was nothing shy of phenomenal.
Yes, go see CONTACT for the dancing and the emotions it evokes. ALL of the characters were attempting to make contact with someone, and this musical is a reminder that throughout the ages we are all reaching out to someone, and this is what good theatre should do.
Grade: B
