Rocky the Musical Fights to Keep Attention

by | Jul 7, 2014 | Culture, Entertainment | 0 comments

rocky

Rocky (Andy Karl) takes on the champ.

Adapting a story from one medium to another can be a precarious undertaking. Movies based on books are commonplace in the film industry, and many times fans of the source are underwhelmed by the results. In a novel, a single moment can be described for pages and pages; but in a movie a moment is a moment, no matter how it’s depicted. However, the adaption of a movie to a Broadway show hypothetically should be an easier translation, because screen and stage are more similar than film and page.

Rocky the Musical is one of the latest Broadway productions optioned from a Hollywood classic. However, unlike The Producers or The Little Shop of Horrors, Rocky has a hard time going the distance and doesn’t improve, or even live up to, the legacy of the film that serves as its basis. The musical, like the film, tells the familiar underdog story of a Philadelphia boxer down on his luck who gets a shot at the heavyweight title, underscored by his efforts to win the heart of the girl of his dreams.

Rocky Balboa (Andy Karl) can’t even scrape together enough money to keep his locker at his training gym, and he’s become wrapped up in the gang life by making collections for the local mob boss. This is a far cry from Adrian (Margo Seibert), the shy pet store employee who is initially apprehensive to accept Rocky into her life. Around the same time they find their way together, Rocky gets the chance to face champion Apollo Creed (Terence Archie) and forever change his life, win or lose.

Karl does his best to not merely deliver a Sly Stallone impression, but going from dialogue to singing appears to be difficult for the actor as his vocal performance holds very little similarity to the famous slurred Rocky inflections. The accent fades in and out of his spoken lines as well. The same can’t be said of Seibert’s portrayal of Adrian; she is at times a spitting image of Talia Shire’s Oscar-nominated performance, but their chemistry lacks any organic emotion.

Rocky the Musical features an incredibly intricate set design. The production opens to a bare room with a boxing ring, representing the gym Rocky trains in, but each scene brings in a new piece onto the stage. The basics are covered, from Rocky’s apartment to Adrian’s pet store, but the iconic scenes of the titular hero training in the meat locker, and his triumphant run up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art enliven the stage to awe-inspiring levels. The climactic battle between Rocky and Apollo Creed literally brings the fight to the audience, as the ring is brought into the audience over the first six rows to be surrounded by the crowd like a real boxing match.

Rocky the Musical is a unique Broadway experience, but fans of the film might leave disappointed by the less than faithful adaption. Going the distance with this production is difficult, but there are enough diamonds that shine to keep your attention. However, the powerful final 30 minutes are not enough to make up for the drudging two hours prior. Filled with sappy love songs and cheesy character developments, Rocky the Musical doesn’t leave you punch-drunk, it’s more like punch-hungover.

Production information:

Winter Garden Theatre
1634 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Buy your tickets today by clicking here.
Visit Rocky the Musical‘s official website.

– Alex Falls

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