It’s been a blustery few weeks here in NYC/NJ. Despite the snow last week, my older son and I had the chance to check out King Kong on Broadway. Technology, choreography combined with Broadway flair, King Kong was quite the production, and one that blew my 11 year old away.
King Kong on Broadway followed a similar storyline to that of the classic. With the magic of a computerized backdrop and projector,the main settings took place in 1930s NYC, SS Wanderer and Skull Island. Each major backdrop was seamlessly projected to set the stage and create an unmistakable story surrounding the iconic settings. We were most impressed with SS Wanderer and how the audience was taken “onboard” Carl Denham and Ann Darrow’s excursion to Skull Island. The way the stage morphed into the bow of a ship was so unique and truly a sight to see.
The main sight of this show, was, hands-down, King Kong. This massive animatronic Gorilla descended onto the stage with an undeniable presence. Together with the orchestra’s accompaniment and the troupe who make King Kong come to life, the larger than life Gorilla made heads turned and jaws drop with every scene he shook. With the animated back drop, impeccable lighting and the King’s Company who worked together to control his every movement, King Kong was a believable Gorilla and a thrill to watch.
Christiani Pitts who played Ann Darrow is a beautiful and commanding lead. To share the stage with a two-ton animatronic Gorilla is no easy feat, however, Pitts pulled it off with grace. Eric William Morris’ Carl Denham was an entertaining, albeit smarmy producer. The vocals were collectively a beautiful production, but King Kong was definitely the star of this show.
After the show, we were treated to a talkback with several members of the cast. From this intimate chat, we learned quite a bit about the cast, including how they spend upwards to 7 hours a day practicing and training to make the show come together. We were able to get a little more perspective on Kong and how the King’s Company Ensemble must thrust, jump and maneuver themselves to make Kong come to life. The cast members who operate as the VooDoo Operators control the facial movements by computers from a room above. All of the people who are in the King’s Company range from break dancers, dancers, performers, but none other than one of the VooDoo operators were puppeteers before this show.
Above all, King Kong was unique and often mesmerizing, if not quirky. The namesake of the show provided an unforgettable spectacle, and a production that will wow even the young Broadway goers.
Full Disclosure: This post is made possible by support from King Kong Broadway. All opinions are my own.