Thursday, January 22, 2009
PITTSBURGH — The touring production of “Movin’ Out,” the Tony Award-winning musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 songs by Billy Joel, will come to Benedum Center from Feb. 27 through March 1. Tickets range from $24 to $62 and are now on sale at pgharts.org or by calling (412) 456-6666.
“Movin’ Out” is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever. Songs like “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and “Pressure” come together as a musical backdrop that complements Tharp’s choreography. The musical progresses through a narrative comprised of three main elements: post-World War II idealism, the Vietnam War and its subsequent unrest, and finally, survival.
The main characters come straight from Joel’s lyrics; there’s Brenda and Eddie from “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” Tony and Sergeant O’Leary from “Movin’ Out,” and Judy from “Why, Judy, Why.” Their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever.