Six Dance Lessons: Miami
Review by Elizabeth "Lisa" Fisher (March 28, 2003)
In "Eleanor Rigby" Lennon and McCartney wrote, "Ah, look at all the lonely people, where do they all belong." Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, with its sharp-edged, enchantingly funny, and genuinely moving story-line, bitch slaps us into reality.
This simple tale, by Richard Alfieri, of a frightened elderly widow who signs up for dance lessons to help fill her days, is refreshingly humorous and painfully real. Alfieri keeps the audience laughing and occasionally shocked with his colorful dialogue. As lonely as Lily Harrison (Rue McClanahan) was, she wasn't expecting Michael Minetti (Mark Hamill), the ostentatious, exasperating and somewhat abrasive young man that ultimately becomes her friend.
McClanahan, as always, is sheer delight. She is utterly thrilling to see in her unblemished, witty portrayal of the reserved preacher's wife.
The true treasure of Six Dance Lessons is Hamill. Remembered for his boyish charm and gentle manner, Mark Hamill brings this intricate flamboyant character to life. Hamill's versatility has not only successfully made him a silver screen hero, but a successful stage actor, producer, author, and prolific voiceover artist. But, just when you think he has gone as far as he can go, he pulls another rabbit out of his hat and blows us away. His incandescent portrayal of the pompous, offbeat, warm hearted dance instructor is truly wondrous. He brings to mind Tom Ewell's ("Seven Year Itch", "The Girl Can't Help It") crumpled "everyman" countenance, with a modern day twist.
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks is a refreshing quirky surprise. The pairing of McClanahan and Hamill is a winning combination.