Notes From Row H

Theatre Review – Greenwich Theatre (PR/Gifted)

Playing at the Greenwich Theatre from 4th November until 8th November, How to Give Up On Your Dreams is a one woman show performed by Meg Chizek and directed by Carly Polistina (Please Help, A Place for Ashes), and was the winner of the New York City Fringe Sell Out Award.

She takes the audience through her life, from aged 8 to now (donning wigs, dancing jazz and tap numbers, and singing along to Musical Theatre Songs in the process) and tells the story of her dream of being a dancer: more specifically, her dream of joining the Rockettes, and her trials and tribulations whilst auditioning for shows in NYC.

She expertly tells her story in an energetic and witty, but emotional way and manages to hit the balance between the two perfectly. Among the various musical numbers and in the engaging narrative, Chizek’s self-deprecating one-liners make the audience question our own dreams and perceptions of success which makes this show have a hint of existentialism.

Chizek herself is a very expressive, talented dancer, and her story is poignant and humorous in equal measure. She immerses the audience into the world of dance, and in the end, the title of How To Give Up On Your Dreams comes to fruition in a satisfying yet touching way.

Written by Helena Featherstone