STARLIGHT EXPRESS
US Tour 2003-2004

The train is on time and made a
scheduled stop in Las Vegas
January 20, 2004

The new US Tour of Starlight Express is like nothing you have seen before...This is a show that you can take your whole
family to and not worry about them getting bored. Just good fun and that is what the show was always meant to be. Andrew
Lloyd Webber wrote the show for his children and has updated the show many times to keep it fresh.

The show can reach a whole new generation of theatergoers with the new innovative 3D film/staging and new orchestrations
(including hip hop tunes) by Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Cullen and Nigel Wright.

There are many people who do not like Starlight Express and cannot understand its appeal to people. I chatted with some
people who came from other states and even other countries to see this show in Las Vegas. They all say it is just fun and they
enjoy the music and dancing. Now with the addition of the 3D film there is more to enjoy.

John Napier's sets and his son’s (Julian Napier) 3D film have added a new dimension to musical theatre. The 3D race
sequence film has humor and a lot of action that cannot be duplicated on the stage. I thought it might be awkward with a screen
coming down during the show, but was surprised at how well this works in the show. It adds not only some excitement to the
show, but explains the race sequences more than the old show that was housed in Las Vegas for 4 years.

They have new choreography for some numbers.  David Yazbek (The Full Monty) has added lyrics to a new song Whole
Lotta Locomotion sung by the four ladies in the show. This trimmed down version seems to have a little of the original London
show, and the various other productions now in one show. The ballads are still there and they ad to the story to show how the
little train who could...can do it!

One of my favorite numbers is Pumping Iron where the character Greaseball lets everyone know how wonderful he is! The
ballad Starlight Express is so uplifting and it gives you that passion of the hope this young train engine Rusty is trying to make
it up that hill. The love ballad between Rusty and Pearl is always so beautiful, as they proclaim their love for each other. Then
comes a real audience pleaser One Rock And Roll Too Many the lyrics are as funny today as they have been over the years.

One of my favorite characters in the show is Greaseball who is a take off on "Elvis." Like many of
Webber's early shows he always had Elvis-like characters, as The Pharaoh in Joseph and Rum Tum
Tugger in CATS.  The actor playing the role of Greaseball (Drue Williams) has been involved
off-and-on in Starlight Express for 20 years. We asked him how he keeps the show fresh each
night and to do the same character for so many years. He said, "It is a fun show! He enjoys doing
the character." So Williams' goes out each night to have fun and make the audience enjoy the show.  
Starlight Express has always worked better with audience participation and he said that is
something the cast likes each night. He said that it is interesting to see the entire audience, as one put
on their safety goggles to watch the 3D film.

This company works well together and is a group of very talented performers.  
Franklyn Warfield’s (Rusty) Starlight Express number was mesmerizing as the song
is supposed to be.  Drue Williams (Greaseball) hits the Elvis-like character right on
the nose.  The audience enjoyed his portrayal.  Dustin Dubreuil (Electra) was good.  
I enjoyed Katie O'Toole's Dinah.  Dinah is a cute character. Clarissa Grace has the
character of Pearl nailed.  Grace is a very good dancer and singer.  Another
character I liked was Poppa (played by Dennis LeGree).   LeGree does not
disappoint in his portrayal of the blues singing older steam train.  Red Caboose is a
witty character and Jeremy Kocal was also a standout in his portrayal.  The Hip
Hoppers (Orren Webber, Walter Louis, and Stephen Maestas) were all very good
dancers and I enjoyed their routines.

Rick Belzer's lighting added such great effects in the show.   They have put lighting in to make a starlight effect and it is a nice
addition, plus the use of lasers is still in this version.  Electra's entrance has changed and I think makes it even more impressive
when you consider how much smaller the set is, than sets in other productions.

The sound was good not too loud.  Some rock & roll shows can get way too loud.   Last night they were using the Aladdin
Theatre's sound system.  Apparently there were some problems.  It was noticeable in one number Make Up My Heart had an
echo effect, which sounded odd.   

Watching these performers on this smaller stage doing stunts and dance numbers on roller skates has to impress you.  Their
dedication to their craft shows.  

When talking with the Resident Director/Associate Choreographer (Louanne Madorma-Williams) after the show I asked her
about working with dancers on roller skates.  I know they hire dancers and then teach them to skate.  But when you put the two
together it is a whole new medium.  She said it is a challenge and very different from choreographing a regular dance number.  
With some dance numbers it may take 6 points to get to a spot and on skates they can get there in 3 points since they can travel
more ground.

Drue Williams talked about the set with us.  He said they designed the set so they can go into any theatre.  He felt this was nice as
they can get to places that have never seen the show.   It is easy to assemble and take down.  I know they pulled in on Monday
and that meant they had to have this set up and running by Tuesday night.  So that is a fast turnaround!

John Napier has done a good job in designing this set and with the lighting everything comes together.  They have two bowls on
each side of the stage where the skaters can do stunts.  There is a bridge across the back that comes down each side of the
stage.  The skaters travel across that and around behind the stage and back onto the stage.  They have a turntable type
centerpiece that is used for some numbers.   

I think this whole production is done very well and recommend it to people who just want to have a good time.   Just let the
"Starlight" shine through you and be a kid again!

For articles, cast listing, musical numbers and more information click on the following links:
Introduction and Other Information About the Show
Creative Team and Cast Listing for the US Tour 2003
Musical Numbers
Interview with Drue Williams and Louanne Madorma-Williams
Photo Gallery