Full Reviews for Pacific Overtures

Pacific Overtures closed last week and I am a mix of all of the emotions. This production brought so much more than I could have ever hoped and expected. The bountiful positive reviews that praised my work both as a choreographer and an actor fill me with endless joy. And the relationships that I have made through this process will be long-lasting.

Please enjoy photos and reviews below:

PHOTOS

REVIEWS

PERFORMER REVIEWS

“Micheline Wu, who is trained in Chinese dance, [in addition to being the choreographer] also plays Tamate, Kayama’s tradition-bound, kimono-clad wife, imbuing the unfortunate character with intensity and grace, the latter exemplified by her fluid dance with a fluttering fan.“ - Carolyn Clay, WBUR on Pacific Overtures at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston (read full review here)

“the show’s talented choreographer, Micheline Wu, as Kayama’s wife Tamate. Wu shines in one of the most affecting scenes, as she anguishes over the possibility that her husband’s mission will fail and they will both have to kill themselves out of shame. Two “observers” sing the spare, haunting “There Is No Other Way”—one singing about Tamate, the other voicing her words and thoughts—while Wu dances the story to the sounds of flute, percussion, and piano.” - Evelyn Rosenthal, The Arts Fuse (read full review here)

“Micheline Wu captures the vulnerability and angst of Tamate (Kayama’s wife).” - Jules Becker, Boston Theatre Wings (read full review here)

“[Micheline Wu] captures Tamate’s raw vulnerability in a fan dance during the reflective number, There is No Other Way.“ - Jeanne Denizard, The Sleepless Critic (read full review here)

CHOREOGRAPHY REVIEWS

On Pacific Overtures at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston

"[Spiro] Veloudos and choreographer Micheline Wu have done an elegant if also tongue-in-cheek job of mixing Asian and showbiz styles, just as the music does. Wu, who is trained in Chinese dance, also plays Tamate, Kayama’s tradition-bound, kimono-clad wife, imbuing the unfortunate character with intensity and grace, the latter exemplified by her fluid dance with a fluttering fan." - Carolyn Clay, WBUR (read full review here)

"Choreographer Micheline Wu deserves much credit for the fine work she has done." - Bobby Franklin, Boxing Over Broadway (read full review here)

“[Micheline Wu} has crafted delicate, complicated yet satisfying choreography that values precision, and graceful movements over athleticism in its portrayal of a closed society for whom rituals have great meaning.“ - Rich Fahey, On Boston Stages (read full review here)

“The staging and choreography of this work, which can be rendered chaotic under the wrong circumstances, is beautifully done. [A] whole universe of encounters explodes, made highly effective by intelligent blocking of character movements overseen by director Spiro Veloudos, but, even more dramatically, by the expressive and energetically conceived choreography by Micheline Wu.“ - Charles Munitz, Boston Arts Diary (read full review here)

“Choreographer Micheline Wu’s reflects Japan’s distinct culture in sharp choreography, integrating samurai tradition while carefully letting a bit of westernization seep in.“ - Jeanne Denizard, The Sleepless Critic (read full review here)

Reviews of specific numbers in Pacific Overtures

The Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the Sea

“The changeless nature of this ‘floating world’ ...comes to vibrant life in the fluidly choreographed opening number, The Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the Sea.” Evelyn Rosenthal, The Arts Fuse (read full review here)

There Is Not Other Way

“[Micheline Wu] captures Tamate’s raw vulnerability in a fan dance during the reflective number, There is No Other Way“ - Jeanne Denizard, The Sleepless Critic (read full review here)

The Lion Dance

“Micheline Wu’s crisp choreography gives Kai Chao riveting moments of fiery movement in Perry’s dance.” - Jules Becker, Boston Theatre Wings (read full review here)

“...menacingly athletic, triumphant...” - Carolyn Clay, WBUR (read full review here)

“startling“ - Josh Garstka, Talking Broadway (read full review here)

“Kai Chao as relentless Commodore Perry struts into a patriotic, humorous, and cunning Lion Dance.“ - Jeanne Denizard, The Sleepless Critic (read full review here)

Poems

“In Poems the two exchange multiple haiku. It is fast paced and through it we see their friendship grow. I loved how Hsu and Hamashima moved about the stage while performing this number. Choreographer Micheline Wu deserves much credit for the fine work she has done.” - Bobby Franklin, Boxing Over Broadway (read full review here)

Welcome to Kanagawa

“With twirling umbrellas and flirtatious glances the number was fun and beautiful.” - Bobby Franklin, Boxing Over Broadway (read full review here)

Please Hello & Pretty Lady

“In Act II, Please Hello (Jeff Song as Lord Abe surrounded by five admirals from America, Russia and Europe) was lively and Pretty Lady (Three British sailors encircling and encroaching upon a young Japanese woman) was chilling.“ - Linda Chin, The Theater Mirror (read full review here)