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Trading Places

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Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky/Alliance Theatre
TRADING PLACES: Choreographer Fatima Robinson puts the moves on the stage remake of an ‘80s hit flick.
05/25/2022 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: $25-$78
CL RECOMMENDS
CL Critic Kevin C. Madigan Recommends: The Alliance is staging the premiere of the “Trading Places” musical which is based on the Eddie Murphy-Dan Aykroyd hit film of the same name. Directed by Kenny Leon, it features music from Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (First Date) and is written by Thomas Lennon (Night at the Museum, Reno 911).The piece is a contemporary reimagining of the original comedy but is still set in the 1980s. Broadway actor Aneesa Folds plays con artist Billie Rae Valentine and Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham is financier Louis Winthorpe III. In the plot, Valentine and Pinkham are manipulated into switching jobs and fortunes after being tricked by two rich brothers. “We’re exploring the idea of what would happen if we all traded places with someone else, even for a day, literally putting yourself in someone else’s shoes,” Leon says in a press release. “It’s relevant; it’s uplifting; everyone will feel heard and represented, and you’re going to laugh a lot. It’s the perfect play for right now.” — KCM

From the venue:

Inspired by the beloved film, TRADING PLACES is a hilarious world-premiere musical pitting nature against nurture in a modern-day retelling of the prince and the pauper fable.  When the lives of a poor street hustler and a privileged stockbroker are swapped as part of an elaborate bet between wealthy brothers, each is challenged in a way they never imagined.  With the help of a charming and unlikely cast of characters, the pawns team up to take their revenge in a comedic turn that leaves them changed for the better.  Set in the 80s decade of shoulder pads and big hair, and reimagined through today’s societal lens, audiences will walk out of the theater “looking good, feeling good.”  TRADING PLACES is helmed by an exciting creative team including television and film writer Thomas Lennon (Night at the Museum, Reno 911), musical writing team Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner (First Date), and Tony Award-winning director, Kenny Leon (A Soldier’s Play, A Raisin in the Sun).
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