Dancing on the Edge

The story has ample pulling power. But the music is its driving force--all day and all of the night.

Many of the people we meet in the cast are good guys, which gives Dancing a hopeful tone, even when the odds go the other way. We want the folks who deserve it to win, and so does the show.

Though the gorgeous production starts out slowly and has its pompous moments, it's ultimately worth your time.

While Dancing On the Edge features what should be a compelling story, acted by a top-notch cast underscored by a terrific jazz soundtrack, it’s not quite as riveting as I expected.

What's missing is passion, joy and (ultimately) interest.

The script, by director Stephen Poliakoff, who also directs, has its good parts, but every few minutes, the quality is undone by characters announcing things to advance the plot, as opposed to dramatizing events.

There is no edge to Dancing on Edge, a drama sunk by its pretensions--one, to be sure, that does come clanking to life somewhat in a madly melodramatic final episode. A long wait, for little.