What I liked
The power of the songs to move the story along; how obvious it is that Eli Hans belongs on the stage; his comfort in singing, dancing, storytelling, even when the subjects, which were deeply personal, were dark, he would keep it real. His ‘I have been through extremely traumatic experiences in my life for quite a number of years; but don’t feel sorry for me, I’m still here!’ appreciation for life which is contagious.
What I didn't like
I think the universe is going to improve this one on its own when ‘And…Out of the Blue’ finds its way to a bigger stage.
My overall impression
And…Out of the Blue is a delight, especially for any fan of classical musicals. Although delight doesn’t seem how’d you’d describe a story of prejudice, AIDS, suicide, and cancer, Eli Hans makes his journey very accessible. Through original songs and dance and an array of characters, many we can all relate to, Hans shares his story of woes, heartbreak, and struggle, never attempting to extract pity from his audience. He loves being a performer and it shows, along with his equally charming partner, Joseph, assisting and partaking in the story, just enough to enhance those moments. Hans is telling you tales from his life, but never does he forget the audience is there to be entertained. Eli Hans is a young-at-heart old soul, and that makes for an incredible combination in this entertaining, uplifting musical.
