The Los Angeles-based theater company is known for stage performances of other popular movie soundtracks including “Boogie Nights,” “Goodfellas” and “Romeo + Juliet.”
Running through the end of December, “Love Actually Live” at the Bram Goldsmith Theater is a melding of clips from the film combined with live music and a cast of 17 performing more than 30 songs in creative staging that often encompasses the entire house.
The 2:15 film translates into a thrilling two-act 2:40 show, with a 15-minute intermission.
Many of the performers bear a resemblance to the original theatrical cast, which included Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Chiwetel Ejiofor, with smaller yet memorable roles played by Billy Bob Thornton, Claudia Schiffer, Denise Richards and January Jones.
The audience gets to relive iconic scenes from the movie, like the infamous cue cards at the doorstep scene, while enjoying songs from the diverse soundtrack, including “All You Need Is Love,” “Both Sides Now,” “God Only Knows,” “Smooth,” “White Christmas” and of course, “Christmas Is All Around.”
Almost all of the 17 cast members get solos on additional songs including “Wherever You Will Go” and “Jump (For My Love).” Rumer Willis plays two characters, Juliet and Mia, and Tony Award winner Steve Kazee plays Jamie, the lonely author portrayed in the film by Firth, who falls for his Portuguese housekeeper despite their major language barrier. He performs Dido’s “Here With Me” and The Calling’s “Wherever You Will Go.”
“What made this an eclectic mix of music one of the great soundtracks of the early 2000’s, however, was how perfectly the songs were married to unforgettable, some heartwarming and others heartbreaking, moments in the film. That connection is what made ‘Love Actually’ essential holiday viewing, and it’s what for the record was created to celebrate,” said director Anderson Davis. “The songs of the soundtrack come to life on stage and movie and music working side-by-side tell one of the holiday season’s best modern love stories. My hope is that this feels like an altogether new way to experience a great film.”
In addition to the well-known hits by artists including Joni Mitchell, Santana, Kelly Clarkson, the Beach Boys and the Beatles, one original song was written for the production. “Love Actually Is All Around,” uses musical score from the film, with new lyrics by Audra Mae and opens the production.
At the end of the show, the audience is on its feet in ovation to the talented cast, dancing to the music. Bravo!
