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Relive the disco experience at The Belle Theatre with 'Saturday Night Fever'

Bradyn Parmelley and the  Belle Theatre troupe in "Saturday Night Fever"
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
/
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
Bradyn Parmelly sizzles as Tony Manero in Belle Theatre's production of "Saturday Night Fever"

Disco got its start during the early 1970s in clubs like the Ginza and La Martinique in midtown Manhattan. Record companies finally began giving it airtime, with hits cracking the Billboard top 10 in 1976.

But it wasn’t until the release of Saturday Night Fever in December of 1977 that the disco phenomenon exploded across the county.

You can relive that experience at The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral, where the stage version of the iconic movie is being performed through October 13.

Local talent Bradyn Parmelly plays the lead and provides this synopsis of the play in case you’ve forgotten.

“’Saturday Night Fever’ is about Tony Manero. He’s an Italian-American in the ‘70s,” said Parmelly. “He is a dancer looking to make his way in the world, and obviously is having to deal with crazy ex-girlfriends and new love interests and friend group that are not just working for him anymore. So he’s just trying to find himself in 1970s Brooklyn, for sure.”

Maddone, between the slang and mannerisms employed by Tony Manero and his paisans, you’ll feel like you’re suddenly back in the neighborhood, capisce? But it’s the choreography that really makes this production Bellissima.

“Emily, our choreographer, she has done absolutely incredible,” said Parmelly. “She has worked so hard and tirelessly, hours upon hours of work.”

She incorporates all the classic disco moves into the dance sequences.

Dance number from "Saturday Night Fever" during which Tony Manero practices with dance partner Annette.
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
/
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
Tony Manero (Bradyn Parmelly) dips dance partner Annette (Bailey McArthur) during scene from "Saturday Night Fever."

As if that’s not enough, the music will have you tapping and clapping, if not dancing in the aisles.

“We have some absolutely killer numbers, ‘Disco Inferno.’ I mean, everybody knows the classic ‘Burn Baby Burn.’ We have numbers like ‘Night Fever’ and ‘You Should Be Dancing,’ and they are just absolutely immaculate.”

This show’s heavy on song, dance and nostalgia. So don’t be a mameluke. Catch the fever and “Burn Baby Burn” October 10 through13 at The Belle in Cape Coral.

Dance number from "Saturday Night Fever" at The Belle Theatre.
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
/
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
Belle Theatre's "Saturday Night Fever" features strong ensemble and dance sequences that incorporate all the classic disco moves.

MORE INFORMATION:

Remaining shows are October 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13 at 2 p.m.

Following in John Travolta’s dance steps is a tall order for any actor, but Parmelly acquits the role with panache … and he has the voice needed for the shows anthology of songs.

Besides the songs referenced by Bradyn Parmelly, the show also includes “Boogie Shoes,” “Jive Talkin’,” “If I Can’t Have You,” “Nights on Broadway,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”

Maliyah Mattis sizzles as the sultry but cautious Stephanie Mangano, who has her sights set not on Tony Manero, but a better and more fulfilling life across the river in Manhattan.

Tony Manero and Stephanie Mangano in "Saturday Night Fever"
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
/
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
Bradyn Parmelly as Tony Manero establishes chemistry with Maliyah Mattis' Stephanie Mangano on and off the dance floor.

Robert Capetta and Nicole Anderson as Tony’s irascible father and strong-willed mother unquestionably give off that old-Sicilian family vibe in the handful of scenes they have.

The strong supporting cast consists of dance maven Bailey McArthur, who plays Manero’s spurned ex-girlfriend and dance partner Annette; Rebecca Lucero, whose vocal beauty lights up the discotheque in the role of lounge singer Candy; Joey Bostic as the charismatic DJ Monty; Patience Cole, as Bobby’s downtrodden girlfriend; Brycton Archer as Bobby; and the entire ensemble of Piper Jones, Stacey Vitacco, McKenzie Anderson and Jonathan Castillo-Malave.

With a book by Nan Knighton, Arlene Phillips, Robert Sigwood and Bill Oakes, the stage version of “Saturday Night Fever” features the music of The Bee Gees. Knighton and company adapted the 1977 for the stage in 1998.

The musical premiered in the West End on May 5,1998 at the London Palladium. It closed on February 26, 2000.

It premiered on Broadway on October 21, 1999 and ran for 501 performances.

For more on The Belle Theatre, visit https://thebelletheatre.com/.

Musical number in "Saturday Night Fever"
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
/
WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall
Rebecca Lucero's vocal beauty lights up the discotheque in the role of lounge singer Candy in "Saturday Night Fever."