Once more, with feeling

mood: hyper

music: She's Like the Wind - Patrick Swayze

Yes, I swear it's the truth. And I owe it all to "Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage".

After months and months of obsessing over "Hungry Eyes" and "She's Like the Wind", I got to go back to the Summer of 63 and party down and dirty with Johnny, Baby and all the other guests at Kellerman's. Or should I say the Royal Alex theatre? Regardless of the actual location, I have to say that this show was once again a true joy to watch. I mean sure, the stage Johnny was no Swayze and the Baby didn't have any of Jennifer Grey's pre-nose job charm but it was still a whole lot of fun.

The songs alone were something to cheer about. I mean, who doesn't feel goose bumps when they hear the opening bars of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"? Honestly. It's that amazing. I could lie and say I don't listen to it almost daily but that would be a crime against the Dirty Dancing gods. If I'm gonna be honest, it's totally on my 25 most played songs on my iTunes. For serious. It makes my heart go ga-gunk, ga-gunk, ga-gunk. Mr. Castle would be so proud.

My only real qualm about the "Dirty Dancing" stage experience was that they tried a bit too hard to make it exactly like the movie. While I understand they were trying not to offend the diehards but seriously, do you really need to include the little snippet of the rando comedy show on the resort? It just seemed like a bit much. It might have worked well in the movie but it really didn't fit in on stage.

Also, who the hell decided that "She's Like the Wind" didn't need to be sung, or at least played? Instead of the golden-ness of the Swayze's voice we get a dumb instrumental version. I remain appalled. 

Crimes against humanity aside, I truly enjoyed my experience. Like the last time, my face pretty much started glowing when Johnny ran from the back of theatre and declared that “nobody puts Baby in a corner.” This joy continued throughout the final dance scene until Baby and Johnny finally did that lovely lift. Then I was completely gone, lost in the moment and grinning from ear to ear. I always thought that “Time of My Life” was the perfect song to complement that moment cause to be honest, life doesn’t really get better than that scene. It’s might sound clichéd but I swear it's the truth (he he..). I swear it on my 20^th Anniversary hot pink “Dirty Dancing” DVD!

I would really love to go on and on about the infinite fun that is "DD" all night but I've got to return some videotapes. Or carry a watermelon. I can't remember which.