Spin at Signature Theatre

Spin

Signature Theatre
4200 Campbell Avenue Arlington

This heartwarming new musical-comedy from the Drama Desk-nominated team of Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (The Story of My Life) follows a former teen idol whose long-awaited comeback and no-strings lifestyle is threatened by the sudden appearance of a daughter and grandson he never knew he had. Based on 2008's highest-grossing Korean film Speedy Scandal, Spin is part of the Signature Theatre's new Siglab development program, and features the latest work from the hot Broadway duo of composer-lyricist Neil Bartram and book-writer Brian Hill.

Thru - Jul 27, 2013

Tuesdays: 7:30pm

Wednesdays: 7:30pm

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 2:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:00pm & 7:00pm

Price: $30

Show Type: Musical

Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes with 1 intermission

www.sigtheatre.org

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Spin Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...The path from offbeat movie inspiration to generic musical passes directly through "Spin," the bouncy work-in-progress that is christening Signature Theatre's new Siglab musical development program. Although the show is slickly mounted by director Eric Schaeffer, it could use a rethink if it has ambitions beyond those of a soggy situation comedy set to music."

- Peter Marks

Washingtonian - Somewhat Recommended

"...Still a work in progress, Spin, with a book from Brian Hill and direction from Eric Schaeffer, can be problematic at times. With almost 30 musical numbers, including a few too many expositional songs (like the "Family Tree" routine, in which Evan tries to explain a white lie to Makalo's young son, Jesse), it could use some trimming. There are also some structural issues. An intensely choreographed medley, also named "Spin," falls awkwardly after curtain call. One character, the photographer Danny (Stephen Russell Murray), has creepy promise at first as a sinister-seeming stalker, but the show hurriedly fits him into a more integral role later, a transition that feels abrupt. The show also has the tendency to be schmaltzy, particularly in the climactic "What If?" when Peterson looks back on the mistakes he's made."

- Missy Frederick

The Georgetowner - Recommended

"...Signature Theatre's new musical, "Spin," invites us to reflect on the challenges of personal growth, all the while laughing about the unexpected twists of family, fame and fortune. A seemingly lighthearted performance about washed-up, wanna-be pop star Evan Peterson, played by James Gardiner, "Spin" offers a web of ambition, relationships and love that reveals a engaging and introspective look into a modern American family."

- Eve Barnett

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...It is fortunate - and probably intentional - that Synetic chooses such well-loved and popular scripts. From their previous run of The Three Musketeers, to plays like Midsummer, their shows seem to lean towards the familiar. This lets them treat the storyline as of secondary importance - what is more important is the way in which they tell it. For Synetic that is primarily through movement, using their bodies to convey emotions and tell the story. Those familiar with Commedia dell'arte may recognize some of the ways actors use certain patterns of motion to convey character traits or feelings. Even without a word being spoken, it's amazing how clearly the story, and the characters within it, come across."

- Julieanna Novak

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

Spin’s plot is something you’d expect from a show derived from a popular movie. Evan Peterson (James Gardiner) had much success as a young sprite as a boyband member and later as a pop music solo act. His career dried up and now he’s the host of a low-budget, local TV singing talent competition.

- Jennifer Perry

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...Signature Theatre somehow finds a way to keep outdoing itself. This year, they launched their brand new "Siglab" - a program "to provide writers of new musicals a chance to see their work in a workshop form in front of an audience before it receives a full production." This summer the theatre in Shirlington is sizzling with the new musical Spin, based on the 2008 South Korean film, Speedy Scandal."

- Keith Tittermary