'Fame:' a new generation of grit and grace

Publicity image:  www.generationfame.com

In wide release this month, MGM and Lakeshore Entertainment Group will set screens on fire with its next generation of “Fame,” based on the 1980 smash hit that, along with the beginning of MTV (1981), started that decade’s dance revitalization leading to such pop culture hits as “Flashdance” (1983), “Staying Alive” (1983) “Footloose” (1984), “White Nights” (1985), and “Dirty Dancing” (1987). It was a decade that made people want to dance. Now, in the middle of another period of dance revitalization, it is a great time for us to revisit that famous performing arts training ground: the NY High School of the Performing Arts, now called The Fiorello La Guardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts.

This is not your average ‘high school musical.’ Remember, the warning we were given, twenty-five years ago, by Debbie Allen (playing Lydia Grant) in the opening sequence of the weekly television spin-off series, “Fame” (1982-88): “You got big dreams, you want fame. Well, fame costs…and right here is where you start payin’ in sweat.” Many a young dancer, musician, and/or actor took that to heart, as they were challenged despite of, or more likely because of, that warning.

Can a Hollywood film still do that? Can “Fame” (2009) inspire a new generation of young artists to work harder than they ever thought they could to achieve an uncertain end? It seems to have done that for the film’s makers and co-stars. The cast of students is relatively unknown, giving the film a sense of realism, as these performers hope that the film will make their own careers. This approach is not new and was a strong basis for the casting choices in the film version of “A Chorus Line” (1985). Let’s hope this film has a better time of it.

The director of “Fame” is also a relative newcomer—directing his first feature film at the age of 25—Kevin Tancharoen. He was a former Britney Spears and N’Sync dancer who went on to choreograph for Britney Spears and Madonna. He also directed the Britney Spears “Onyx Hotel” tour. It was a feature story about Tancharoen's work in “Los Angeles Magazine” that caught the attention of ICM, who signed him for representation and opened the door for him on MTV projects, like “Dance Life.”

For all the new and fresh re-imaginings of this 80’s classic gem, there is still plenty to recognize. Some of the music reflects the previous soundtrack with a more contemporary sound and beat, although most is new; and Debbie Allen returns to the project, as well. Thank goodness! This time she plays Principal Simms. In an interview with Jen Jones, published in Dance Teacher Magazine, Allen recalls her work on the “Fame” series: “I believe that the series truly endeared the performing arts to the world. [Since then], performing arts schools have popped up all over the world. It was on ‘Fame’ that I became a director and producer; I learned so many things that have informed my career. It was one of the greatest times creatively and one of the most loving times with that band of gypsy kids. They were little Tasmanian devils, but so talented—I loved every one of them. We just had a reunion last fall, and we were remembering Gene Anthony Ray [the dancer who played Leroy died in 2003]. I will always pay homage to ‘Fame.’”

Bebe Neuwirth—currently working on her upcoming performance slated for Broadway in “The Adams Family, The Musical”—plays Lynn, a former ballet dancer turned teacher, in “Fame.” A former ballet dancer, herself, Neuwirth studied at the Princeton Ballet and went to Julliard for a year. Other teachers at the “Fame” school are played by Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, and Charles S. Dutton.

“Fame” opens in theaters everywhere on September 25th. For more information about the film, go to: www.generationfame.com.