Norwegian Aqua.
March 24, 2025.
The brand new Norwegian Aqua is one thing to behold, with new thrilling actions just like the aqua-coaster (sure, a rollercoaster and waterslide in a single!), glow courts, tranquil sundecks and 10 % extra outside house than some other ship within the Norwegian fleet. However the jewel within the crown of the Aqua is the “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” theatrical spectacular.
Conceived and choreographed by famend Broadway choreographer Patricia Wilcox, Revolution pays tribute to the legendary artist Prince, showcasing his music, style, vitality and essence.
Revolution is a testomony to Norwegian Cruise Line’s dedication to delivering world-class, one-of-a-kind leisure at sea. The present is a part of the broader leisure choices on the Norwegian Aqua, which additionally contains “Components: The World Expanded,” an enhanced model of one in every of Norwegian Cruise Line Holding’s (NCLH) highest-rated productions.
When talking with Bryan White, Vice President of Leisure Manufacturing, on board Aqua’s inaugural voyage, White explains, “We don’t take into consideration cruise leisure. We take into consideration international leisure, as a result of the leisure choices that we’ve on our ships could possibly be on Broadway, Vegas, the West Finish – we’re pondering globally. We’re concerned with what’s new and what’s subsequent all all over the world. What’s related, what’s compelling, and what’s useful? We would like visitors to say, ‘Wow, that was a one-of-a-kind. I’m by no means going to get that wherever else!’”
Revolution is actually one-of-a-kind. The present is offered within the beautiful Aqua Theater & Membership which permits visitors to both watch from conventional theater seating or be a part of the solid on the dance ground for a concert-like expertise.
The present’s visionary and choreographer Patti Wilcox says, “I wished the present to be immersive from the start. Prince is immersive! And when seeing what the capabilities had been of the theater, that’s when the thought of a theatrical live performance got here to thoughts.”
Robert Dean Hertenstein, Senior Inventive Director, provides, “One of many issues that’s actually fabulous concerning the Aqua Theater & Membership is that it’s a completely transformative venue. We will current it in a standard proscenium, the place all of the seats are absolutely deployed. We will additionally retract the seats midway – that’s the configuration that Revolution is offered in. And we will fully retract the seats and switch the house it right into a nightclub.”
Hertenstein, who has labored with Wilcox for 15 years and helped convey this imaginative and prescient to life, explains that the design of the theater encompasses “hidden garages the place we’re in a position to retailer totally different set items which can be in a position to transfer on the ground. So, in case you’re on the ground, you’re not solely within the motion, the set’s shifting round you, and also you’re shifting with the set. It’s not a passive expertise in any respect!”
The exhilarating 55-minute present by no means has a boring second. It retains shifting and retains you shifting in your seat or in your toes, relying on the way you’ve chosen to take part. One may even see the present twice in a single evening from a distinct location and revel in a singular expertise every time.
“You get to alter your perspective each time you see the present,” says Wilcox.
“Each time I see the present, I see one thing new and one thing totally different! I’m thrilled with the result,” shares White.
It has taken seven-plus years, a New York workshop, and numerous hours within the studio and theater to open Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, after Wilcox first offered the idea to NCLH. It’s a phenomenal coup for the cruise line, as this manufacturing is the primary sanctioned present to be achieved outdoors of the Prince Property!
NCLH is really blessed to have a artistic associate like Wilcox.
“I feel it’s actually particular to have the ability to have a long-term artistic associate who’s keen to play with us – who’s keen to actually embrace NCL as a model,” says White.
“After I was a youthful dancer, I might take her class in New York Metropolis,” says Hertenstein. “So to have this collaboration with Patti for the final 15 years has been an absolute dream. Between the exhibits we’ve created collectively and the way we’ve supported one another, there’s such a belief. It’s been unbelievable.”
Wilcox thanks NCHL for that belief and for what she explains as a “clear the trail for creativity.” She notes, “I’ve achieved fairly a number of exhibits with the Norwegian Cruise Line, and the great thing about it’s that you may be offered with an concept and run with it. Or you possibly can give you your personal concept, and so they run with it. Norwegian Cruise Line clears the trail for creativity to occur.”
The creativity in Revolution is aware of no bounds, and you’ll sense that Wilcox and the group had a lot enjoyable creating it. Highlights embrace a shocking, sensual adagio to “Crimson Corvette”, “Purple Rain” carried out with a shocking ascending purple piano, a vibrant style parade celebrating the eclectic style of Prince, and plenty of nods to the times of MTV.
“It was the time of MTV!” says Wilcox. “Prince got here into our dwelling rooms within the ’80s on MTV, and altered the accessibility to what dance was. We may see it on daily basis. It turned part of our vocabulary.”
In Wilcox’s distinctive celebration, there isn’t one actor performing as Prince, however two males and two ladies who tackle the position with their very own model and taste.
The solid is proficient and dedicated, rising to the problem of such a dynamic, quick paced and immersive manufacturing. The vocals are world-class, and the vitality by no means faulters.
“As soon as you determine a present, 98 % of your job after that’s casting it,” says Wilcox, who is clearly very happy with the expertise who’ve labored so onerous to convey her imaginative and prescient to life. “It’s about discovering the best folks – discovering ardour, discovering method, discovering model.”
And the artists have all three in spades. They’re a pleasure to observe.
“This journey has been really nice, but in addition very humbling,” says Assistant Dance Captain Kamarick Mackey. “It does educate you that in order for you it, the onerous work have to be put behind your aspirations. It’s a real pleasure and honor to be a part of the Revolution solid.”
Alongside the onstage expertise, behind the scenes the costume designers have out achieved themselves by capturing Prince’s aptitude and charismatic, edgy model.
All the manufacturing feels as if it ought to tour the world on each sea and land. Congratulations to Wilcox and the group. Revolution is a revolution.
To catch Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, e-book your self a cruise vacation within the sunny Caribbean on the brand new Norwegian Aqua.
By Deborah Searle of Dance Informa.
