“Broadway With Heart" Brings Heart
By Phyllis Green, Critic At Large
February 16, 2023
A night of nostalgia and some nifty song and dance routines recently whirled into Aventura Cultural Center, a jewel box of a theater. Stars, Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson wowed a full house with their take on some of the most beloved Broadway shows of the times.
The beautiful couple known as M&M presented a non-stop parade of their experiences in performing arts including directing, composing, teaching, singing and dancing, through the years. With their creation of The Non-Profit M&M American Dance Theatre Works, they promote educational and cultural enrichment, through exposure, mentorship and involvement in musical dance theater.
Blessed with a gorgeous body, with legs that reached to eternity, Melinda, through song, jazz, soft shoe, ballet and breathtaking pointe, delivered a luscious act. Would have loved more of her and her graceful moves. Michael, the man of many talents, sang and danced vignettes of shows gone by such as "Oklahoma," "Kiss Me Kate," "Guys and Dolls," to spots from "Hair," "Jesus Christ Super Star" and even "Hamilton." Certainly, he could have taught the beloved Tevye a step or two or three in his "If I Were A Rich Man" presentation. Just to watch the precision and expressions of hand and body from this duo throughout the show was a treat. Backed by a bevy of five talented dancers, who, through clever choreography by Michael himself, provided on-stage set designs and costume changes with panache. The staging was simple: a huge screen showing M&M handling much of the narrative with the telling backgrounds of the spots being done. From "Two Sleepy People" with moves so synchronized, this couple was affectionately one soul; to morphing into "Phantom Of The Opera" with glitzy flowing fabric furling behind the actors, presented, exquisite! Indeed, a Five Star Show from Two Gifted Stars: Magical and Mighty!!
To learn more about M&M: www.americandance.biz