REVIEW: "Pump Up the Volume: A '90s Palooza"

Viewers take heed: this isn't really a play––not in the traditional sense, anyway. Pump Up the Volume: A '90s Palooza has no plot (save for a brief throughline that bookends the bulk of the show) and is 95% singing and dancing. Pump Up the Volume takes seven people and "transports" them back into the 1990s, running them through almost every hit song of a celebrated decade. That is as complicated as the plot gets––in some ways, that's as complicated as it needs to be.

This show plays on nostalgia––nostalgia for '90s TV, nostalgia for '90s movies, and (most of all) nostalgia for '90s music. This production was certainly funny and entertaining for all audiences, but in truth, this show is aimed at people between ages 25 and 35––those that embraced and lived through the pop culture-laden '90s as children and teenagers. As someone who falls into that age-range, almost every reference brought me spinning back to my childhood with a warm wave of nostalgia; almost every song had my squealing and dying to sing along. But for younger audiences who weren't glued to the drama of Dawson's Creek or older audiences who missed the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Pump Up the Volume likely won't hold the same excitement.

Pump Up the Volume was created by Jon Lorenz and Colleen Kollar Smith (the later of whom also choreographed the show). The production uses music from bands throughout the '90s, including the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Nirvana, Spice Girls, TLC, Ricky Martin, and many more. The show covers all musical genres––from ska and pop punk to rap and R&B.

The production has an ensemble cast that performs this marathon-show with skill and high energy. Janaya Mahealani Jones and Cassie B stand out as the cast's powerhouse vocals, while Brielle Batino has a haunting, delicate voice. Joshua David Cavanaugh and James Royce Edwards offer fabulous comedic moments throughout, while Leonard Patton brings heart to the production. Edred Utomi, however, is the show's standout. With endless energy and hilarious impressions of both Will Smith and MC Hammer, Utomi is always a surprise and a delight.

In addition to the music, what really brings the '90s to life at the Horton Grand Theatre are the incredible costumes (designed by Janet Pitcher) and ridiculous hairstyles (designed by Peter Herman). The show also features flawless transitions from song to song, thanks in part to the Pump Up the Volume band.

The colorful, graffiti-covered stage and the projections (best experienced firsthand) were designed by Michael McKeon. Lighting for this show was designed by Christina Martin, while sound was designed by Kevin Anthenill.

Pump Up the Volume: A '90s Palooza is running at the Horton Grand Theatre through September 10th. You can purchase tickets for this fun show at the San Diego Musical Theatre website.

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