From Carol King to Selena to Garth Brooks and the Cowboy Two-Step, the Cast Displays Good Vocals and Charged Choreography
Blindspot Collective is the inaugural partner of UC San Diego’s emerging Depot Residency Program. As shared in their press release, “this is a pilot initiative launched alongside the university’s acquisition of the former baggage building at the historic Santa Fe Train Depot. Designed to support residencies by local nonprofit organizations and individual artists, and to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable regional arts ecosystem”.
Blindspot has been practically everywhere with unique and engaging work. Dive Bar Machine joins the roster repertory with a curious, eclectic selection of songs that span nine decades. Created by Shellina Hefner and Blake McCarty, total opposites like Daddy Yankee and Aerosmith coincide on one stage, pumped with energy and Micah Parra’s charged (matching the eclectic song selection) choreography. I felt like Diana in Identity Thief, first guessing the songs during their intros and then singing along.
Directed by Blake McCarty with musical direction by Taylor Lehmkuhl and Joe Kao, the cast had some faces I recognized, like Fredy Gomez Cruz and Tash Gomez, who will be making her Cygnet Theatre debut in Dear Evan Hansen in September, along with Aiden Meyndert, and the musical will also be directed by McCarty. Anywhoosies, continuing with ‘Dive Bar, the cast presented all the threats, from amazing vocals to fired-up choreography, tempo, and a great overall vibe.
The show is a musical straight-through revue, fun and entertaining. Gomez Cruz, from luchador to musical charmer, brought the moves and sass to the performance. Tash Gomez has a beautiful tessitura, well handled and with great poise. Aiden Meyndert led and harmonized many of the songs, displaying good range. In the beginning, the show gave me a strong HAIR feel, and Hunter Brown, lively and engaging, brought the essence of all the decades, starting with that 60’s one but also with all the country, fun songs. There were many highlights in this show for me, but when doing Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” yes, I immediately thought, “Are they going to…” and yep, that high note was performed and hit. Cole Chinn is enchanting, a performative jack-of-all-trades, from a fantastic voice to fabulous physicality. Thomas Fisk was the life of the party, interacting with the audience while keeping the tunes and flow going.
I said that the cast was amazing, yet the women, wow, wow. Montse Cabrera, lovely voice with good range and presence; Sophie DeLange, a total beast on the dance floor (Dirty Dancing lift included), with a strong, perfectly handled voice; Rachel Dillon displayed a powerful vocal reach with felt interpretation; Sophia Kahn’s soft, sweet sound was melodic and enchanting; Michaela Nasello led the harmonies in a number of songs, displaying potency and grace. Tina Robin’s strong delivery prompted various numbers with a strapping presence and flair.
The show is performing at UCSD’s LOFT, which is located above one of the college’s food courts. I’ve had two previous encounters in the space: the CLUE immersive experience and during La Jolla Playhouse’s WoW Festival. I have to be honest, dear reader: I am not a fan of the space for performances, as the current setting is not audience- or view-friendly for everyone in there. I had to maneuver my neck, eyes, and tolerance to try and get all that was happening in order to write this review! Speaking of eyes, Blake has mastered one for staging and ensembles. Having twelve actors dance around while singing in that labyrinth setting made for a creative blockage. Bravo to stage manager Kyle Waterman and Colby Freel’s lighting that cued and pumped the moments along Evan Eason’s sound. The special effect-type costume changes were superb, as from one moment to the next, the performers would have something different on. Granted, the changes consisted of accessories, jackets, and hats, but still, Sadie Rothenberg’s design hit the mark while matching the rhythm.
Dive Bar Machine is ending its run this August 9. They have two performances left. It is worth it to cross the labyrinth to see these artists perform.
