Alternately flashy and heart-rending, this ambitious revival set in a South American prison chronicles the unlikely friendship between an ardent revolutionary and a bold homosexual as they use fantasy to escape their horrific reality. Ben Whittle, outstanding as the sensitive, flamboyant Molina, leads a superb cast of students who sing, dance, and act compellingly throughout. While the musical features ambitious dance numbers executed with energy and aplomb, it is most powerful in its quieter moments, poignantly capturing the pain and longing of the tortured prisoners as they dream of their wives, their mothers, and of freedom. Though the story loses some of its sway near the end, the cast makes the most of the material to keep the audience transfixed.

C, until 15 Aug, 12.20pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Elaine Teng]