Sting’s hauntingly beautiful songs, Kate Prince’s electrifying choreography, a troupe of the world’s most spectacular dancers, and an absolutely stunning production design combine to bring Pantages audiences the West End phenomenon that is Message From A Bottle.

Press materials describe Message In A Bottle’s plot thusly: “The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive”

And that’s about all you need to know in order to follow the tale that Prince and playwright/dramaturg Lolita Chakrabarti have to tell, one that begins on a wedding day whose joyful celebration is suddenly interrupted by a series of explosions marking the arrival of civil war, a life-changing event that will quickly separate the siblings and send them on their own individual, harrowing adventures.

In jukebox musical tradition, Sting’s songs help tell the story.

“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” proves a perfect fit for a celebratory wedding day. “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” precedes a violent sexual assault. And what better Sting song than “Roxanne” to underscore a scene set in a wartime brothel?

These and other song choices may be a bit on the nose, but with music sure to strike nostalgic chords in audience members of a certain age (and at the very least sparks of recognition in those of the younger persuasion), only the pickiest will complain.

Indeed, the only ones who might have a bone to pick with Message In A Bottle are the dancers whom Prince puts through the workout of their lives, though whatever physical ordeals they may undergo in a production that has the entire company leaping, spinning, somersaulting, and executing other assorted feats of athleticism, grace, and almost superhuman stamina, the rousing standing ovation that greets each individual dancer at curtain calls must make it worth the pain.

Breakdancing, krumping, freestyle, and hip-hop combine with moments of exquisite lyrical ballet in moves executed on Opening Night by fourteen of the following twenty-three company members: Oliver Andrews, Lindon Barr, Deavion Brown, David Cottle, Harrison Dowzell, Nestor Garcia Gonzalez, Natasha Gooden, assistant choreographer/resident director Lizzie Gough, Anna Holström, Megan Ingram, Ajani Johnson-Goffe, Charlotte Lee, Daniella May, Dylan Mayoral, Serena McCall, associate choreographer Lukas McFarlane, Robbie Ordona, Lara Renaud, Hannah Sandilands, Jessey Stol, Steven Thompson, Gavin Vincent, and Malachi Welsh. (It’s my understanding that the show’s sixteen roles are covered by three dancers each.)

Message In A Bottle’s production design could not be more breathtaking, the combined efforts of set designer Ben Stones, video designer Andrzej Goulding, costume designer Anna Fleischle, and lighting designer Natasha Chivers, and if you doubt what I’ve written, the accompanying production stills are surely worth thousands more of my words.

Sting and assorted guest vocalists perform prerecorded to Alex Lacamoire’s new arrangements as David McEwen’s sound design fills the Pantages with the next best thing to live.

Message In A Bottle is a Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK production based on the songs of Sting with Zoonation: The Kate Prince Company.

Message In A Bottle’s all too brief one-week stay at the Pantages means that time is of the essence in reserving seats for this must-see production, one I can pretty much guarantee will leave you breathless.

Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles.
www.broadwayla.org

–Steven Stanley
February 7, 2024
Photos: Lynn Theisen

Tags: Broadway In Hollywood, Kate Prince, Los Angeles Theater Review, Pantages Theatre, Sting