MIYAGI! A KARATE KID MUSICAL, New Millennium
Theatre Company, at Boxer Rebellion Theater. Watching
this late-night romp sober doesn't do it any favors. An unashamedly unauthorized
musical version of the 1984 kiddie klassic that did not make Ralph Macchio a
star, this smart-ass adaptation by director
Here
Daniel is a soccer playing
Achingly
faithful, this 90-minute parody conveys the movie's mindless optimism with
cheesy choreography, overwrought acting, and a few too many ad-libs. John
Francisco, who goes beyond Macchio's blue collar cuteness to Jerry Lewis
excess, jerks up a funky storm as tempestuous teen “Daniel-san,"
Kim Irwin Dildine is hilariously pseudoprofound in the title role, and Zenna Wise emotes charmingly as Daniel's
California dreamer. If nothing here rises to level of camp travesty, consider
the bland source. Still, a non-drinking audience will never give this trifle
the indulgence it demands.
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