Revivals of classic musicals get revived, usually, because they’re a good enough show to warrent a do-0ver.

So it is with “West Side Story,” the current offering at The Music Hall at Fair Park. The show, which originally opened on Broadway in 1957, was nominated then for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Since then it’s been revived on Broadway in 1964, 1980 and 2009.

A national tour brings the latest production to town during the Texas State Fair, a spot always reserved for a blockbuster. The original Jerome Robbins choreography has been reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely, and  it is outstanding. Combine that choreography with this national touring company’s terrific dancing talent, and the result is fantastic. Production numbers for the Jets and the Sharks could be seen again and again and remain mesmerizing.

The music, such as “Tonight” and “Something’s Coming,” is predictably lovely, and the dramatic lighting quite effective. It’s obviously a carefully crafted turn on a Broadway classic.

Often with revivals, someone feels the need to inflict a new twist. For this production, the major innovation was the translation of many of Stephen Sondheim’s original lyrics to Spanish. Luckily, the show’s modern retelling of  Shakespear’s “Romeo and Juliet” is well known enough that not much meaning is lost. But it seems contrived, a superfluous stab at “realism” in a medium where we already are asked to suspend logic to believe street characters break into song.

This new production also adds much more graphic sexual content in several scenes, including one of rape. During “Gee, Officer Krupke” teenage boys act like some teenage boys act, but some of the stabs at ”humor” might make Grandma blush. Were the scenes realistic? Perhaps. Offensive? Maybe. Parents definitely should be warned that this is not the typical “West Side Story” suitable for all ages or tastes.

The show, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals, will continue through Oct. 23. It’s an interesting take on the “West Side Story” classic. Go for the dancing. Go for the beautiful music. But don’t go if you’re expecting a 1957 version of a classic.

Glenn Rainey, Garth Kravits and Todd Horman open the show.

Musical theater fans will find ”Guys and Dolls,” currently playing at The Music Hall at Fair Park, a good bet for a pleasant evening filled with a fantastic dancing, a classic score and some terrific performances.

The national tour opened Tuesday for a two-week stop featuring a revival of the 1940s tale of gamblers, gansters and showgirls. On Broadway, both the original 1951 musical and the 1992 revival won Tony Awards, so the show’s music and comedy are long-time favorites. Many of the Frank Loesser tunes, from “Luck Be a Lady” to “Bushel and a Peck,” are well known charmers.

For this production, Ben Crawford smoothly commands the stage as Sky Masterson, and actress Megan Sikor’s take on Miss Adelaide is very cute. One of the show’s best performances comes from Glenn Rainey whose Nicely Nicely Johnson literally stopped the show opening night with “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” 

Just like the floating crap game Nathan Detroit works so hard to organize, sometimes the dice come up snake eyes, even on stage. Steve Rosen takes a while to warm up in his role of Nathan Detroit, and Erin Davie’s beautiful voice was nice for the character of Sarah but her stiff performance was tough to watch.

The audience did hit the jackpot with the strong musical performances and Patti Columbo’s terrific choreography. The trio that opened the show set the pace with its great voices and happy harmonies, and the dancing in the big production numbers was a big win. Only odds were that just at a critical time, the theater’s sound system would give way since microphone problems  plagued the opening night show.

“Guys and Dolls,” presented by Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org), will continue through July 31. If you’re looking for a summertime diversion, go ahead and take the bet. Odds are it’ll be worth the gamble.

Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev were just two of many reasons to check out the white-hot dancing at Fair Park.

I needed to turn up the air conditioning as you drive to “Burn the Floor” at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

The show was that hot.

Think of “Dancing With the Stars” on steroids. Think more energy than your two-your-0ld nephew and more electricity than a southern thunderstorm. These people can dance!

Not only did they put on a mesmerizing show, each dance smoothly faded from one fantastic number to the next. From a hypnotic waltz to a fiery cha cha, the high style parade of human artistry was the type of show that could be seen again and again.

The show’s two-week run is over, but I hope Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org) brings it back.

I guess you can say I liked it.

From start to finish, the current production of “Dreamgirls” playing in Dallas is a dream of a show.

The sets, the singing, the dancing are all stellar in this show playing through July 18 at The Music Hall at Fair Park as a part of Dallas Summer Musical’s 70th anniversary year. The story, set in the early days of Motown, is told in an upbeat and entertaining way, largely due to the excellent cast.

Leading the way as Effie is Moya Angela, who has the pipes to pull off the show-stopping “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” With a performance like hers, the standing ovation came before intermission. Pushing hard to steal the show is the hilarious Chester Gregory as James “Thunder” Early, a comic mix of James Brown and Little Richard.

But this isn’t a musical that just showcases its stars. The chorus is filled with talented performers, whose tight harmonies and skillful dancing fill the stage with energy. The costumes are dazzling beautiful, and the imaginative sets have given this revival an updated look.

With a combo of great costumes, cool sets and talented dancing, the  production numbers are truly a treat. “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” was a stand-out, but other numbers are a treat for the audience, too.

The original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls” opened in 1981 and went on to win six Tony Awards. The current show debuted at Harlem’s Apollo theater last fall before it began touring. 

Touring companies can sometimes disappoint, but make no mistake–this is not one of “those” shows. ”Dreamgirls” is one of the highlights in Dallas Summer Musical’s lineup, and it’s no time to be napping and miss this show.

For ticket information, see www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Dallas Summer Musicals will celebrate its 70^th season of live theatrical entertainment by presenting 12 touring Broadway productions, 10 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, and 2 shows at The Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas.  

The Color Purple will lead off the celebration for the year 2010, opening its two-week run Jan. 19 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Other Broadway hits included in this year’s anniversary season will be The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Color Purple, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and last year’s surprise hit, Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles.  New musical offerings will include The 101 Dalmatians, starring Rachel York, and Little House on the Prairie, the Musical, starring Melissa Gilbert as Ma, plus straight-from-Broadway shows such as The 39 Steps, Xanadu and Dreamgirls. Shrek The Musical will be highlight the three weeks that the 2010 State Fair of Texas is in operation.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States and the sixth largest non-profit theater company.  DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live musical theatre entertainment since 1941.  In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works.  Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park and the historic Majestic Theatre.  

DSM SEASONS AT A GLANCE

THE STAGE LEFT SERIES:

 ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S THE 39 STEPS, Jan. 26-31 at The Majestic Theatre.

 RAIN, A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES, March 16-21at the Music Hall at Fair Park.   

STAGE RIGHT SERIES:

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Feb. 17-March 14 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.   

XANADU, April 6-18 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.  

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL, starring Melissa Gilbert as Ma, May 11-23at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

WICKED, May 26-June 27 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18at the Music Hall at Fair Park.nal material by Willy Reale.

SHREK THE MUSICAL, Sept. 28-Oct. 17at the Music Hall at Fair Park.  SEASON SPECIALS: 

Oprah Winfrey Presents THE COLOR PURPLE, Jan. 19-24 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER , April 20-25 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Season tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, with Stage Left Series priced from $48 to $264, and Stage Right Series from $115 to $457.  Single tickets for the subscribers’ specials range from $12-$85.  For more information about the DSM season, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.  There is a handling fee for orders placed by phone or internet.  For groups of 20 or more please call 214-426-GROUP.

For those preferring the flexibility of picking their own shows, custom packages of at least four shows from the entire season are available for as little as $48 a package.  There is no deadline for custom orders.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, and American Airlines.

As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs.  DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need.  Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors.  Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.

No one had to be told officially that pink was the color of the evening.

You just know  when you’re going to a Legally Blonde cast party that pink, Elle Woods’ signature color, is the color to wear. The party, following opening night for Legally Blonde at the Music Hall at Fair Park, was held for cast, patrons and special guests at Thompson & Knight LLP offices at One Arts Plaza.

So there was the predictable assortment of pink ties, pink blouses and pink scarves, but no one could have prepared for what Paul Corley, Jr. strolled in wearing.

Pink suit, pink tie and hot pink patent-leather shoes. He was either supporting Legally Blonde or Pepto-Bismol, and he certainly was the hit of the party.

The star of the musical hit, petite Becky Gulsvig, arrived, however, wearing a skinny teal tank top, a simple skirt and flip-flops. You’d wear flats, too, if you’d just spent three hours on stage belting it out in heels.

Pink flowers accented the pink-swathed tables where cool “pink thing” cocktails were shaken, not stirred, and a tasty Asian buffet featured pink take-out boxes filled with Chinese food. Jim Lee’s Starlight Room gets the credit for the food.

Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org) claims responsibility as a producer of Legally Blonde the Musical, so the show’s success was greeted with broad smiles from the likes of Michael A. Jenkins, DSM’s president and managing director.

You might say he seemed tickled pink.

Blondes, “The Rat Pack,” and Mary Poppins all have a place in Dallas this year.

Variety rules The 2009 Dallas Summer Musicals’ (www.dallassummermusicals.org) line-up which features everything from “Legally Blonde the Musical” to a Las Vegas visit with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and it won’t even take a spoonful of Mary Poppins’ sugar for these shows to go down easy.

Season tickets currently are on sale at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, Dallas. Subscribers tickets for the Music Hall Classic Series range from $88 to $523. Prices for subscriber specials range from $9 to $85.

The Majestic Series, showcased at The Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. in downtown Dallas, begins with “The Rat Pack–Live at the Sands” March 3 through 8.

“The Pajama Game,” featuring the song “Hernando’s Hideaway,” is set for March 10 through 15, followed by the face-off between David Frost and President Richard Nixon, “Frost/Nixon,” April 28 through May 3.

The Musical Hall Series, with all performances held at the Music Hall at Fair Park, begins with “Happy Days, A New Musical” May 26 though June 7. “The Wizard of Oz” blows its way on stage June 9 through 21, with “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” planned for June 23 through July 5. Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “A Chorus Line” takes the stage July 7 through 19, and then Elle Woods brings “Legally Blonde the Musical” to Dallas July 21 through Aug. 2. Musical group ABBA’s songs string together in “Mamma Mia!” Aug. 18 through 30.

Original Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee will star in “Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present Mary Poppins” during the 2009 State Fair of Texas. The production is scheduled to run Sept. 24 through Oct. 18.

Subscriber specials are planned beginning this month. “Bob the Builder Live!” will be presented Feb. 21 through 22 at The Majestic Theatre. Then May 5-10 will feature original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in “Rent, The Broadway Tour” at The Music Hall at Fair Park. Then “Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol” is set for May 19 through 24 at The Music Hall.