A last look at ‘Sindbad’
“The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad” show at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park has been existing in a sort of Abe Vigoda-type state for a few years. You know, the “Oh, I thought he was already dead” thing. But no, “Sindbad,” located in an openair theater in the Lost Continent section of the park, has been rolling along since IOA opened in 1999.
But now Universal has announced an end date for the stunt show, and it’s coming soon: Sept. 15 will be the last day for Islands visitors to see the action.
I dropped by the show recently to pay final respects. It had been awhile. Here are five things I had sort of forgotten about “Sindbad.” (That funky spelling was not one of them.)
Wow, there’s a lot of fight choreography in the show. It’s on the boat, on the stage, around a fire, up in the audience, down on the concrete in front of the stage and way, way up by the coveted Sultan’s Heart. And that’s not even counting the stunt work that includes swinging by ropes from level to level and the fiery (!) deep-dive climax. It must be exhausting COMMENTARY for the performers.
I’d also forgotten about the first big trick with Sindbad sidekick Kebob. It’s a surprise and, surprisingly, still a winner.
The cast does a lot with a little. There are the casually heroic hero, the spunky princess, the wacky, treasure-driven sidekick, the evil Miseria and a couple of demons.
It’s the kind of show with tons of kid appeal. The sort that has little fans yelling at the stage when Kebob can’t find the demon (“BEHIND YOU! HE’S BEHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND YOU!”).
That stage … aka The Grotto of Lost Souls. It’s elaborately decorated, multilevel, multiple water features, nicely lit, allows for sight gags and just it’s enormous. It extends out into the audience. It’s tricked out with treasure around the edges, and it requires a splash zone in the seating area.
I like the droppedin, updated references. There’s currently a line about Fast & Furious: Supercharged, the new attraction next door at Universal Studios theme park, and an appearance of that flossing dance. But some of the “updates” feel a little dated. (I’m looking at you, Lady Gaga and “Titanic,” but to be fair, both references get laughs still.)
A thing I didn’t forget that’s still around: BOOM, the sound effects still jar, frightening/delighting children and adults alike.
Universal hasn’t said what — if anything — will be sliding into that space. From the stands, audience members can easily see the Hogwarts Express station, so it’s hard not to imagine the Wizarding World of Harry Potter closing in. Still, there’s a bit of Lost Continent hanging in there, including the Poseidon’s Fury attraction, the Mythos restaurant and assorted shopping and snacking options.