I'm "Movin' Out"

Throughout last night's performance of "Movin' Out," the ushers at San Luis Obispo's Performing Arts Center had one request: Read the program.

Granted, some of the action in the Tony Award-winning Broadway extravaganza can be puzzling. But the basic premise -- love, loss and social change against the backdrop of the Vietnam War -- couldn't be clearer.

I caught the first, sold-out performance of "Movin' Out" last night. A second show starts tonight at 8 p.m. at the PAC.

My conclusion? "Movin' Out" is more than a musical.

It's best described as a dance-ical, a high-energy burst of modern dance movements choreographed by Twyla Tharp and narrated by pop icon Billy Joel's piano rock hits.

Perched above the stage with a capable six-pece band, the Piano Man (Matthew Friedman last night, Kyle Martin tonight) comes aross as a omnsicient uncle -- winking at his charges' foibles and expressing sadness and anger when it all goes wrong.

Below, dancers with tight abs and impressive stamina add their own flavor to every song. Styles range from elegant classical ballet to saucy salsa and airborne kicks and jumps.

The audience grows so used to the interplay between song and dance that the few lines of spoken dialogue are almost jarring.

As for the music, a few selections in "Movin' Out" seem like a strange fit. (I fail to see the link between "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" and enlisting for the U.S. Army.)

Most, however, mold nicely to the story.

"Movin' Out" uses "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "Goodnight Saigon" to chilling effect to reflect the horror and confusion of Vietnam. And handful of love songs -- "She's Got A Way," "Shameless" -- make the onstage romance seem even sweeter.

It's a tribute to Joel's skill as a storyteller that the unusual pairing of wordless dance and motionless songs works so well.

For more information about "Movin' Out," call 756-2787 or visit www.pacslo.org.

-- Sarah L.

Do the truffle shuffle tonight!

So, you couldn't score tickets to tonight's sold-out performance of "Movin' Out"?

Lucky for you, we've got a solution: "The Goonies."

For those who don't remember the 1985 movie (shame on you!), "The Goonies" celebrates childhood adventures and hunts for hidden treasure with a sweet, goofy sense of humor that appeals to both kids and nostalgic adults.

It's a gem of a movie, full of gentle humor, touching moments and downright pathetic villains.

What's more, the film singlehandedly launched the careers of several actors, including Sean Astin ("Rudy," the "Lord of the Rings" triology), Josh Brolin ("American Gangster"), Martha Plimpton and Corey Feldman -- who, together with Corey Haim, basically ruled the 1980s.

Too bad the same can't be said for Jonathan Ke Quan, a.k.a Short Round in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

"The Goonies" plays tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fremont Theatre, 1025 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. Arrive early for trivia and prizes.

Tickets are $7 to $9.

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The Fremont offers a screening of "The Sound of Music" on Tuesday, Nov. 13, also starting at 7:30 p.m.