Good dose of 1970s nostalgia
Streakin’ Thru the ‘70s; By James A Rocco and Albert Evans withheidi Karol Johnson; Director and production manager Chris Burton, dance director and co-director Alex Hughes, vocal director and co-director Kirsten Clark, band director Danielle Joe; Speirs Centre, Palmerston North, March 18-27. Reviewed by George Heagney.
Remember the 1970s? Neither do I, but this school show will take you back to the glory days.
The combined production from Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Palmerston North Boys’ High School is this year Streakin’ Thru The ‘70s, which looks back at a decade where Richard Nixon was the United States president, disco was popular and The Brady Bunch was on television for the first time.
There’s only one streaker so don’t be too scared, and this colourful look at the decade will remind those of an older vintage what the 1970s were like.
It looks at events and themes that were prevalent, helped by music from the period.
The songs are great, with numbers like Peace Train, Take Me Home Country Roads and Iwill Survive standouts that should get people singing.
The costumes – flared pants, floral shirts and sequinned dresses – may be questionable if worn on the street today, but look great on the cast.
The show is heavy on American culture, including game shows and anti-vietnam War sentiment. Even a couple of Muppets make an appearance.
Paris Kareko as Gloria and Jacob Dredge as Carl are great singing leads, but probably aren’t given enough to do, with Dredge only getting a couple of solo songs, although Kareko, decked out in a gold jumpsuit, has star power.
A singing gem among the cast was Laura Lopez as doting housekeeper Peggy O’houlihan, while other standouts were the fiery Gabby Clark, and the smoothmoving Vealata Tongati’o.