Puttin' On The Ritz

Image Source: Puttin' On The Ritz

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Musical
Date: October 7 2015
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Back in the early days of cinema, motion pictures were a lot more simplified than they are nowadays. Even the use of audio was considered innovative back then, which perhaps partly explains why Hollywood exploded in the early 20th century when sound was added, and by the 1920s, films became even more popular with the influx of legendary and timeless music scores from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. They introduced new songs that had a familiar style to them, they were catchy, the lyrics were logical, and they were generally classic musical tunes and remain so to this very day. It also featured stellar singing and dancing, Fred Astaire being a perfect example of this. If anything, back in the day, the storyline of a movie often played second fiddle to the outstanding vocal skills and the visually superb dance routines.

And that's the formula which has been used for the theatre show which pays tribute to this Golden Age of Hollywood, Puttin' On The Ritz. There is no overriding plotline, or indeed any plotline, for this show. Instead, this puts a greater emphasis on the word "show"; although it takes place in a theatre setting, it is more appropriate to describe Puttin' On The Ritz as an extended tribute show, and it is a very enjoyable one at that. The production provides a variety of musical numbers complete with five-star dance efforts, all based on the song-writing of the aforementioned Berlin, Gershwin and Porter, along with a slightly updated feel to the singing of said tunes and a very contemporary twist to the dance routines.

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Puttin' On The Ritz coming to Liverpool

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Strictly Come Dancing stars lead the UK tour of the hit song and dance extravaganza

Presented by International Theatre Producer David King, the tour of the spectacular Puttin' On The Ritz is currently wowing audiences across the UK.

Puttin' On The Ritz stars a variety of professional “Strictly” dancers at different venues, including Robin Windsor and Anya Garnis with Trent Whiddan and Gordana Frandosek.

Ray Quinn will join Puttin' On The Ritz in September. Runner-up in The X- Factor in 2006, with his debut album going straight to number one in the UK charts, Ray has starred in many West End musicals.

Puttin' On The Ritz takes you on a musical journey with wonderful music from three legendary composers, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. Songs in the show will include Cheek to Cheek, Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Birth of the Blues, Swanee, Night and Day, I Got Rhythm, Easter Parade, and Puttin’ On The Ritz.

These classic songs of the Golden Age of Hollywood are recreated live on stage with a star-studded cast of fabulous singers and dancers who are set to entertain the audience with their slick harmonies, glamorous costumes and ballroom dancing skills.

Puttin’ On The Ritz is produced by David King with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

Becky O’Brien performed in her first professional production at the age of seven. Becky toured America, Asia, Europe and the UK, as the lead vocalist in shows such as Spirit of the Dance; Broadway, the Star Spangled Celebration; and The Spirit of Christmas. Alongside two of her sisters, she took on the role of The Deering Sisters in the internationally acclaimed Pathe feature film, Mrs Henderson Presents. The sister act worked alongside Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, recording the theme song for the film.

Ray Quinn’s first acting role was in Brookside, the popular soap based in Liverpool. He was announced as the runner-up in the X Factor to Leona Lewis in 2006 and subsequently released a a debut album which went to number in one in the UK charts and eventually became a platinum selling album. Ray has starred in many West End musicals including Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Legally Blonde. Ray was the winner of ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2009 and went on to win the final All Stars series in 2014. Ray is currently recording an album and is inspired by by the “greats”, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Rat Pack.

Robin Windsor is a British professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, best known for his appearances in the BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing. Robin is also known for starring in the successful West End production of Burn The Floor with his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Trent Whiddon is an award-winning Australian dancer and choreographer. He was a lead dancer and company manager of Burn the Floor for 13 years including the Broadway production. He has choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance, Satisfaction on a Dance Floor and the E-trade commercial with Kevin Spacey. Most recently, Trent has completed touring with the Strictly Live tour after a successful first season on Strictly Come Dancing partnering Pixie Lott.

For more information, visit www.puttinontheritztour.com.