Vanessa Hudgens shines as ‘Gigi’

HUDGENS. Makes her Broadway debut in stage version of classic film.

NEW YORK—When we’re abroad, we check out the Fil-Am talents who are making waves on the entertainment scene. So, we watched Vanessa Hudgens (her mother is Pinay) portray the title role in the stage adaptation of “Gigi,” her Broadway debut, about a free-spirited girl in the 1900s who refuses to follow the life planned out for her by her family.

Gigi is now 18 years old, not 15. Flamboyant Gaston Lachaille (Corey Cott) is in his mid-20s. Hudgens and Cott sing and look good together. Since Hudgens is an icon of the “High School Musical” generation, she continues to be spunky, clean and wholesome as Gigi. Her attitude in learning classy etiquette and sophistication is “child-like funny.”

This is in contrast to the original Gigi, who is trained to be a courtesan to entice rich men and to “trade sex.” Because of this, the character’s inner core to show her vulnerability is lightly felt.

But, Hudgens impresses with her vocal talent, elegant beauty and energy. In “I Never Want to Go Home Again,” her best singing solo, she cartwheels and dances all over the stage!

At the end of the show, the audience is rewarded with a champagne-like shower of bubbles to celebrate Gigi’s independent personality and enlightened love life with Gaston.

You have to act fast to see this revival, because it was announced that June 21 would be the play’s final performance at the Neil Simon Theatre. It will go on a national tour next year.