Andy Blankenbuehler is the best choreographer working in theater, and his brilliance is on full display in the new musical Only Gold. This production, playing off-Broadway at MCC Theater, is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Blankenbuehler with music & lyrics by singer-songwriter Kate Nash. It’s a traditional tale told spectacularly through movement.
The story doesn’t break the mold, it combines the loveless marriage plot from Hadestown with the themes of Parisian romance from Moulin Rouge, but the strength of this show is in the choreography and music.
The way Blankenbuehler can tell complete stories without a single word being said is remarkable. As both director and choreographer, Blankenbuehler stages far more than just traditional choreography, but expressive movement, a style in which he thrives. There’s an entire dream ballet that is truly jaw-dropping. Only Gold is a visual masterpiece due to Blankenbuehler’s command of motion.
The score is by British singer-songwriter and actress Kate Nash, who also stars in this production as the narrator. While I hadn’t heard her catalog before this show, the music she composed for Only Gold was incredibly catchy and kept the show moving. Most of the songs had an energy to tap your feet to. Nash also performed well as narrator, telling the story in an authentic way. The entire cast did well in their roles, highlighted by Terrence Mann as the King, an archetype he’s perfect for. Ryan Steele was excellent as the bright-eyed Jacques with Karine Plantadit as Roksana and Gaby Diaz as Tooba delivering magnificent dance numbers. Ryan Vandenboom and Hannah Cruz do well playing the couple at a crossroads of Henri and Camille, though Camille as a character was a bit too cliché. The ensemble of Only Gold delivered fluid staging, with standouts including Hamilton original Broadway cast members Morgan Marcell and Thayne Jasperson.
Only Gold tells a fairly simple story but it’s staged in a way only Andy Blankenbuehler can. The method in which he uses movement to tell a complete story is mesmerizing. Dance leads the way in this production, and Blankenbuehler’s choreography is some of the best I’ve ever seen.