Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Get ready to be dazzled and entertained like never before as Kimberly LaRue presents her spectacular new show, ‘Follies Goes Hollywood,’ on Fridays at 7:30 pm in The Casa Karma Red Room at Act2PV. Puerto Vallarta entertainment writer, Gary Beck, who attended a recent performance, tells us about this not-to-be-missed show.
Kimberly LaRue’s Follies Goes Hollywood
Kim writes, “Gearing up, getting ready for a brand new season at Act2PV. Excited to have Amanda Reckonwith a.k.a. David Ajax Sabella, Cate Elizabeth Valcic, Hal Bonta and Sarah Joy Heckbert with special guests and featuring my Follies Vallarta Dancers.” Sharon K Janda from New York is the special guest star tonight. She has performed widely in Detroit and NYC venues.
“Golden Age of Hollywood to NOW.”
The show was designed marvelously. The fine dancers entered dancing in pairs, trios and the entire group. At times, one of the singers would extend to the audience well-known and memorable songs from Hollywood heydays. The film industry has given the world so many fine musicals, some based on Broadway shows. Igniting the evening, the Follies Vallarta Dancers broke into a luminous “Hurray For Hollywood”. Kicks and shimmers flowed throughout the venue and the large crowd loved what they saw and heard. The dancers were very attractive and extremely well-trained in every single step and move which they made.
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” announced the person’s success, rather like “Hey, Look Me Over”. Success in Hollywood is not a simple given and these cast members showed that they have what it takes. “I Like It Like That.”
Kimberly LaRue is a multi-talented lady. She is the creator, director, producer and choreographer at Follies Vallarta. She serves in the faculty professional division at The Ailey School and is founder and Artistic Advisor at Bridge For Dance.
A clever entry was from Oklahoma: “I Cain’t Say No” – “Whatcha Gonna Do?” “Singing In The Rain” was complete with bright red umbrellas flashing over the stage carried by the dancers. Gene Kelly would have approved. “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” by Cate was impressive and promising. “As Time Goes By” followed, then “All That Jazz” brought excitement from both the performers and the audience. “Come on babe, we’re gonna brush the sky. I betcha Lucky Lindy never flew so high?”
Frank Sinatra was summoned by Hal with the classic “Luck Be The Lady”, swinging along with the dancers. “Mack The Knife” warned every lady that “Macky’s back in town.” This finger-snapping tune was a sheer delight. Sharon came forth in all her glory giving a rendition of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. This is the title of the successful New York show she performed with other stars. Cate danced her way through “Popular” from Wicked giving a light and rather funny show. Then came a young dancer with three rings which she cavorted with in unison and surprise to this circus-style act. The beautiful “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables fit right in with the show’s theme.
Hal reappeared with “The Way You Look Tonight”, another Sinatra classic. The group of dancers expressed their joy with Flashdance‘s “What a Feeling”. Their movements were tightly choreographed. Sharon shared over the soundwaves “Somewhere Over The Rainbow, known by all. Her lungs were full of rich high and low notes, exercising her own personal approach. Then she scrolled back to 1930, when Sophie Tucker declared “No One But The Right Man Can Do Me Wrong”, warning that she did not want a gigolo. “That’s Entertainment” summed up this musical evening quite appropriately. The smiling singing and dancing cast gathered for the finale, bowing to a standing ovation.
Kimberly LaRue’s Follies Goes Hollywood is presented on Fridays at 7:30 pm in The Casa Karma Red Room at Act2PV. Tickets to all shows are available online at Act2PV.com.
For more of Gary’s Puerto Vallarta show reviews, join his More of Beck’s Best: Theater, Cabaret and More! group on Facebook.
Act2PV is located at the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes in Zona Romantica. If you have questions, please send an email to info(at)act2pv.com. For more information about shows, or to buy tickets, check out their website or go to the box office, now open 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily.