New Village Arts Gets into -The Groove- with San Diego Professional Premiere of "8-TRACK: The Sounds of the '70s"

Celebrating the lost or forgotten decade

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Nothing like a musical tour to lift up the spirit! NVA, based in Carlsbad, is celebrating its 23rd season with this 90-minute extravaganza that goes through different classics like I Want You Back, Get Ready, Brick House, and many more. 

The Cast of 8-TRACK-The Sounds of the '70s. Photo Daren Scott

Created by Rick Seeber and directed by 2023 Craig Noel Award recipient, Gerilyn Brault, who won the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical category for her work in Head Over Heels at Diversionary Theatre, it is great to see artists working different roles, and this time, Brault took the sound design and directing chair (s) while definitely imprinting her sparkling personality into the tracks as the performance definitely felt celebratory, and brought a good, solid, time through the voices of Melissa Fernandes, Juanita Harris, Kingsley Jackson and Kyros Jijia Shen. This is the second time this year I have seen Melissa Fernandes embracing the vocals and giving interpretation and playful interaction with the audience. Guided by E.Y. Washington's musical direction, Juanita, Kingsley, and Kyros debuted in my eyes and along with Fernandes, made a great ensemble that delivered wonderful notes, dancing to the rhythm of Joy Newbegin's choreography that evoked nostalgia and the urge to get out of the seat and follow through Zach Elliot's set design that held a colorful background, very fitting to the decade, completed by steps on the sides of the stage where the actors would go up and down while singing or, while about to introduce a new musical number. Juanita has a strong voice that performs high notes beautifully. At the same time, Kingsley also belts out intense, lengthy notes, and Kyros shifts between playful, serious, and sweet with a light, charming personality that fills the house. Kevane La’Marr Coleman's wig design -definitely- added to the mood going from a perfectly ironed-out long set of hair, to a fluffy frow, all the way to styled golden locks and a mullet. I have to admit, it was enjoyable to witness the wig changes.

Janet Pitcher's costume design was also fun carrying the sequence, the one-pieces, and the platforms! Costume design has been claiming that throne throughout the 2024 production year, inspiring the rest of us while longing for some of those pieces. Chris Renda's lighting design pumped each moment giving the disco dance feel. 

'8-TRACK  would work without an intermission as it goes by fast and is only 90 minutes. It is a great season opener as it brings forth feelings, mostly nostalgia regardless of the people living those songs in real-time as they are classics that have gone through the different generations, leading to a communion with music and dance. What can beat that?

Currently playing until September 15. For more information, please CLICK HERE