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They decided to follow up that show with another original tribute, \u201cPump Up the Volume: A Musical \u201990s-Palooza.\u201d<\/p>\n
Produced by San Diego Musical Theatre and staged at Horton Grand Theatre, the evening (previews start July 28) will be full of songs from singers and groups such as Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and NSYNC. There are also references to shows like \u201cDuckTales,\u201d \u201cFull House\u201d and \u201cTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorenz (who is also the musical arranger and music director) and Kollar-Smith (she is the director and choreographer) have completely different views on the 1990s. For Lorenz, was more into grunge music, techno music and independent films. During that decade, Kollar-Smith was a bigger fan of hip-hop, boy bands and shows such as \u201cSaved by the Bell.\u201d Both of their interests are highlighted throughout the evening.<\/p>\n
A benefit for Lorenz in working at the Horton Grand is the \u201cintimacy\u201d that the theatrical space provides.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe performers are pretty close up, even in the back row,\u201d he said. \u201cThis gives you a chance to be enveloped in the music in a concert-like way, without the risk of hearing loss.\u201d<\/p>\n One visual aspect that Lorenz thinks audiences will appreciate is Michael McKeon\u2019s projections. McKeon\u2019s work aids the audience with understanding the context of certain scenes, and is full of details about the time period.<\/p>\n They needed to drop some material to keep \u201cPump Up the Volume\u201d at a normal length. \u201cIt was hard for me not to have Buffy from \u2018Buffy the Vampire Slayer\u2019 show up and kick the butt of all the horror movie icons from that time,\u201d he said. \u201cWe probably could have had four acts worth of music.\u201d<\/p>\n Another of Lorenz\u2019s talents is that he is a regional performer. However, he doesn\u2019t plan on starring in any future incarnations or versions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve skewed a little younger with the ensemble,\u201d he said. \u201cI think I would look like the old dad.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Lorenz won\u2019t appear onstage, he revealed that one of the characters, played by Joshua David Cavanaugh, has dialogue that is similar to his personality.<\/p>\n Lorenz hopes that people that go to the Gaslamp make a night out of being in that part of the city. \u201cTourists and visitors can see this and get something extra special before going to a club,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n There might be an obvious target demographic, yet Lorenz encourages those that aren\u2019t as wild about the \u201990s to give the time capsule a chance. \u201cIf you think the \u201990s isn\u2019t your bag, I think you\u2019ll discover there\u2019s a lot of things that you\u2019ll connect with,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are a lot of songs I wasn\u2019t officially a fan of, that I now have an appreciation for after working with Kollar-Smith.\u201d<\/p>\n Given the family-friendly nature of the piece, Lorenz looks forward to seeing both younger and older generations experiencing the same evening together. \u201cIt\u2019s fun getting to be a room with people of different ages who feel a communal connection,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was a surprising feeling when \u2018miXtape\u2019 was originally produced.\u201d<\/p>\n Even with San Diego Comic-Con International finished, pop culture fever is alive and well in Downtown, thanks to Lorenz. Bring your metaphorical boombox and vintage sunglasses for an event that is sure to be off the hook.<\/p>\n \u201cPump Up the Volume\u201d plays at Horton Grand Theatre through Sept. 10. For tickets or more information, visit sdmt.org<\/a> or call 858-560-5740.<\/p>\n![\"Welcome](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/web-PUTV-Co-Creators.jpg\")
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