Top Gun, the Musical: Not as Dumb as It Sounds

The almost universally acclaimed Top Gun, the Musical isn’t actually a musical version of Top Gun. It’s a play about the musical version of Top Gun. This is the story of Billy Palmer, a Broadway producer in desperate need of a hit after the failure of his previous effort, Apocalypse...

By Brandon K. Thorp

February 2, 2012

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The almost universally acclaimed Top Gun, the Musical isn’t actually a musical version of Top Gun. It’s a play about the musical version of Top Gun. This is the story of Billy Palmer, a Broadway producer in desperate need of a hit after the failure of his previous effort, Apocalypse Wow. Unfortunately for Billy, his Top Gun effort is plagued by just about every disaster and petty annoyance that can plague a struggling young musical. Cast problems, producer problems, the kinds of cosmic problems that fate occasionally heaps on hapless artists in their darkest moments. And it’s funny, of course, because theatrical disasters are more funny than ordinary disasters, for they seldom result in death and involve extremely dramatic dramatis personae. It’ll be interesting to see how all of this plays out in the tiny auditorium at Empire Stage (1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale), which you wouldn’t think could handle such a big show. But the folks there have done crazier things before. Tickets cost $25, and you can get ’em at topgunftl.com. The show runs through March 4.
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 9. Continues through March 4, 2012

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