ALL pH SHOWS ARE LOCATED AT: 3110 N. SHEFFIELD AVE at STUDIO BE THEATRE
THEATRICALS
THURSDAYS @ 8PM
EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE!!
The Breakfast Club Musical
Directed by Jason Geis
Assistant Director: Scott Hogan
Written by John Hughes
Adapted by Jason Geis
Music & Book by Jason Geis & Jessica A. Hunt
Choreography by Cassie Speerschneider
Starring:
Matthew Gottlieb as John Bender
Drew Current as Andrew Clark
Brett Mannes as Brian Johnson
Martha Hearn as Claire Standish
Tristan Tanner as Allison Reynolds
Dan Aho as Vice Principal Vernon
Sally Anderson as The Janitor
Also Featuring: Beverlee Bailey, Amy Couey, Nick De Fina, Jess Herron, Megan Kelleher, Patrick Serrano, Mark Soloff, Cassie Speerschneider
REVIEWS
CRITIC'S CHOICE!
I don’t think I’ve seen The Breakfast Club, the iconic ’80s teen comedy starring brat packers Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, since its initial VHS release. But when classic lines like, “No dad, what about you!?” were uttered at the opening night of The Breakfast Club Musical at studio BE last Thursday, the entire film came crashing back as if it was 1985, the year I saw it in theaters with my father (my very first rated-R film). Perhaps it’s the indelible impression the film has left on so many viewers like myself that led both pH Productions and iO (which is nearing the end of its run of Breakfast Club: The Totally 80s Musical) to stage their own versions. It doesn’t hurt that the film’s silver anniversary is this year or that director Hughes (sadly) passed away last August.
The first thing that struck me was how easily the film fits onto the stage. Amazingly, most of the action takes place in one room and involves just a handful of characters. No wonder writer and director Jason Geis, a devotee of the original, chose to adapt it. In Geis’s version, which both reworks and retreads the film, the action has been augmented with original musical numbers (written by Geis and Jessica A. Hunt) to further key plot points. They’re smart and fun, although they don’t always sufficiently raise the stakes enough to justify their inclusion. For example, when Martha Hearn, as Claire “the princess” Standish, sings about her virginity, a dash of cabaret adds va-voom to a song about sex (or lack of), but neither the lyrics or choreography are provocative enough to to provide either big laughs or big emotions at this most awkward of teen subjects. In both Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical and A Carpenters Halloween, the musical numbers are used, for the most part, to deliver hearty laughs. Not so here. This adaptation is more loving tribute then spoof.
Mostly what’s enjoyable about The Breakfast Club Musical is watching the pH crew take its own stab at Ringwald and company. They’re channeling not just their characters, but the original actors who portrayed them as well, and they do a fine job. It would be easy to give the most credit here to Matthew Gottlieb and Dan Aho as burnout John “the criminal” Bender and Principal Vernon respectively. Per the original film, they trade barbs using some of the most explosive (and in many cases quotable) lines in the film/musical. But Brett Mannes brings just the right amount of heart to Anthony Michael Hall’s Brian “the Brain” Johnson. Ditto Tristan Tanner, who flushes out the mostly tacit Allison “the basketcase” Reynolds using only a handful of wide-eyed facial expressions for most of Act One.
John Hughes devotees will surely enjoy this heartfelt tribute. But occasionally, they may wish, as I did, that this Reagan-era retelling would’ve leaned a little heavier on spoofing the awesome decade from which it sprang.
This show is an absolute blast! We had a fantastic time. It made you laugh like it was your first time seeing the film. Their simplistic take on the story for the stage is delightful. The music is so catchy, that even though it's original and I've never heard it before the show it's still stuck in my head! It keeps selling out so I'm believe I'll go see it a second time before it's gone! A great tribute to John Hughes classic work!
We loved this event. It was very funny and cute. It replicated the movie very well and brought back memories that I forgot about it. It was very enjoyable. Can't beat the price for such good entertainment. I would have paid more.
This was such a great show! The songs and choreography were funny and quirky and it made me want to see the movie again! The venue was great and it didn't hurt that it's BYOB!
The Breakfast Club Musical. A cult classic on stage and in song!
If Kenny Ortega and John Hughes were to ever have a secret love child, the product of this brilliant cross would easily be the artistic director of the most hilarious straight-from-the-screen-adaptation of The Breakfast Club--Chicago's own Jason Geis.
This stroke of genius, known as The Breakfast Club Musical, is the movie brought straight to life in front of your very eyes. Complete with original music and lyrics (17 of them, no less!) from Geis and music director and composer, Jessica Hunt (who during my show played the entire thing with one arm), this performance is nothing short of a side-stitching comedy kissed with nostalgic warm fuzzies of your long forgotten angst-filled youth.
Don't come into this thing expecting to hear the Simple Minds single "Don't You Forget About Me." Because you won't. You'll end up hearing something much better.
It's hard to describe how infectiously awesome this tribute to pop culture is...nearly two weeks later, I still find myself humming the opening number about detention. And let's be honest. Who doesn't want to hear the chorus singing about Brian and Claire being virgins...or if the Breakfast Club gang will still be friends on Monday?
Don't lie. Because you know you do.
Alongside the perfectly poised pop numbers are some pretty spot-on character portrayals. In my humble opinion, Tristan Tanner, stole the show with her quirky performance of Allison Reynolds...right down to the Cap'n Crunch and Pixie Stick sandwich. Seriously. I laughed so hard, I may have wet myself (just a little bit). The rest of the cast was equally incredible, capturing all of the lovable qualities of a criminal, a basket case, an athlete, a princess and a brain. And who can forget the snarky asshat, Principal Vernon, and the support of an energy-filled singing and dancing chorus.
You should know that the first run of the show was so successful it sold out nearly every performance. But don't fret if you missed out on an entertaining evening--pH Productions has extended the show's run through late June! Though tickets are going pretty quickly (the next two weeks are sold out)...you can order your tickets here.
Playing every Thursday at 8pm from now until June 24th at Studio BE (3110 N. Sheffield over by The Vic and Matilda's), tickets range from $10-$15 and make for the perfect night out for anyone who loves John Hughes, epically awesome 80's flicks, and for those of us who secretly know all the songs from High School Musical (which may or may not include yours truly). But be sure you buy your tickets early so you can spend detention with your favorite 80's misfits before school's out for the summer.