THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Long : 124 lines
APPARENTLY, THIS Mighty Morphin Power Rangers business is even bigger than we've been led to believe.
In January, on the first day of the 104th Congress, House Speaker Newt Gingrich put his Contract With America in park while he attended to something pressing: a photo-op with the Fab Six.
Last month in Georgia, the Rangers mixed with royalty. They got together with Mr. Please, Please, Please, the Godfather of Soul, the one and only James Brown, in his Augusta office, where they gave away tickets to inner-city kids.
``We need Funkazord power, now!''
But that kind of stuff is for grown-ups, not the true blue - and black, white, pink, yellow and red - fans who were racing around the lobby of the Baltimore Arena last week. It was opening night of ``Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Live,'' a stage version of the popular kids TV show that mixes martial arts, squeaky-clean teen heroes and Japanese monster movies.
Two hours before the doors would open, which was another full hour before the show would begin, Kristin, 3, and Corey Smith, 6, couldn't stand still.
``They drove me out of the house at 4,'' said their shell-shocked mom, Joyce, watching her children swing from the rails and race across the lobby.
Vance James' approach to the whole scene was more improvisational, kind of in keeping with his gig as drummer for veteran jazzmen Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff. James, who's from Baltimore, was in Philadelphia the night before and would soon be off to New York, Montreal and points beyond.
But last Wednesday was ``quality time'' - just him and his grandson, 4-year-old Vance Davenport. Wearing a black Power Ranger sweater and cap, and toting a Power Ranger backpack, the boy looked sharp, and prepared.
Asked what he expected once they got inside, James chuckled and said, ``Empty pockets.''
Indeed.
Souvenir stands displayed T-shirts ($15), programs ($10), binoculars ($8), posters ($5), magnets ($3) and inflatable, stuffed and miniature Rangers. One boy went home with a $50 denim jacket embroidered with the Power Rangers logo. The black varsity-style jacket sold for $90.
The hottest item, though, was the $10 light-up sword, the kind they peddle at the circus.
Which pretty much describes the atmosphere in Baltimore and, by all accounts, in Toronto, Denver, Milwaukee, L.A. and New York, where $1 million in tickets were sold 48 hours after going on sale. Count on it being the same this weekend at Hampton Coliseum as the 82-city juggernaut rolls on.
A quick digression: Before bellyaching, parents might want to think about the big bucks they're shelling out to see a chandelier crash in ``The Phantom of the Opera.'' Before that, it was a helicopter in ``Miss Saigon.'' Anyone remember ``Les Miserables'' and ``Cats''?
And the merchandise . . . it still fills catalogs.
Besides, the Baltimore audience got its money's worth. Designed by the same folks behind Rod Stewart, Guns N' Roses, The Who and the alt-rock fest Lollapalooza, the $3 million production is as high-tech as high-tech gets.
Laser lights shoot out from the symbol of the evil Lord Zedd. A state-of-the-art sound system blasts the guitar-driven theme song. Fireworks explode as good and evil clash. The martial arts choreography - and with a cast of 22, there is plenty of it - is equal parts George Balanchine and Bruce Lee. Come morphing time, flash pots fire on cue and the Power Rangers drop from sight. Even old-fashioned sleight-of-hand magic is incorporated. Video screens magnify the action.
That action, by the way, isn't confined to the stage. The Puttys, those mumbling minions of Lord Zedd, cruise the crowd constantly, to taunt and harass. One of the goons snatched 3-year-old Michael Fream of Glen Burnie, Md., right out of the arms of his dad, Jim. Michael seemed to take it in stride, though his mom, Kerri, said the little guy's heart rate was definitely up.
A third screen at the rear of the stage is put to good use. Hung in vertical strips, it lets the actors on-stage interact with pre-recorded footage of the TV Power Rangers. At one point, Tommy and his crew come charging downhill - at the last moment, the road cast leaps through the screen.
The plot plays like an episode of the TV series. According to a newsman tracking the story, Lord Zedd - with Rita Repulsa, Goldar, Squatt and Baboo in tow - has fireballed into ``this city,'' hoping to draw the Power Rangers away from Angel Grove.
When Zedd captures Aiesha and Adam, it is up to their comrades to find the fortress and rescue them. The best trick is saved for last as the reunited Rangers, with the audience's help, fight a giant, inflated Lord Zedd. Think Pink Floyd lite.
Before morphing off to Angel Grove, the White Ranger tells everyone to be good and try to help others, and he reminds them that martial arts should only be practiced by professionals. Hokey for sure, but hard to dispute.
Then the kids rushed the stage to shake hands with their conquering heroes.
Outside the Arena, the scene was ``Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Live: The Sequel.'' Street vendors hawked those same light-up swords. Make that almost the same; they were $5 cheaper because they didn't bear the Ranger sticker. One White Ranger, one Blue Ranger and at least two Red Rangers - the lesson here is to hold on to those Halloween costumes - jousted up and down the sidewalk.
Vance James took it all in from a spot on a bench, where he and little Vance awaited their ride home. If James looked a bit winded, his ear-to-ear grin said it all.
Quality time accomplished. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff photos
ABOVE: One of Lord Zedd's goons takes Michael Fream, 3, from his
dad, Jim, right, during the show in Baltimore.
LEFT: The captive Yellow Ranger is taunted by Baboo, left, and
Goldar in Lord Zedd's fortress.
SHOW FACTS:
What: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Live
When: 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hampton Coliseum
Tickets: $15.50, $12.50 and $9.50, plus $3 handling fee per
ticket; a limited number of $25 VIP seats are available
To order: 671-8100
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Souvenirs are a big hit with fans at the Power Rangers live show,
especially light swords.
by CNB