Michelle Simms (Foster) is a jaded Las Vegas showgirl, with dreams of dancing on Broadway. After being rejected by a director before she had the opportunity to audition, she impulsively marries her biggest fan, Hubbell Flowers (Alan Ruck). The next morning, she wakes up hungover and on the road to Hubbell's home in the idyllic town of Paradise, CA.
Their arrival is a surprise to everyone, including Hubbell's mother Fanny (Bishop) who lives in his house and runs a ballet studio on the property. When Hubbell is killed in a car accident, Michelle and Fanny agree to share their grief and the ballet studio. As Michelle adjusts to small-town life, she becomes a mentor and inspiration for the teenage dancers, including Boo (Jenkins), Sasha (Goldani Telles), Ginny (Buntain), and Melanie (Dumont). Can Michelle find a way to embrace her new surroundings and still live her dreams to dance professionally?
Originally conceived by Lamar Damon, under the title Strut, the show was retooled by Amy Sherman-Palladino to focus on ballet. The show ran for 1 season of 18 episodes on ABC Family.
The Good:
The pilot episode is fantastic - lots of emotions, strong performances, and beautiful dancing. The show excels on the charisma of Sutton Foster. Foster is a Broadway star (with multiple Tony awards and nominations), in her first TV leading role. She is a talented dancer and has a few opportunities to sing as well. She has incredible chemistry with Kelly Bishop, who plays her mother-in-law. Bishop is also a talented actress and when they are on screen together, the show is better.
There is dancing in every episode, mostly ballet, but there are other styles as well. All of the students at Madame Fanny's ballet studio are professional dancers, so the dance sequences are beautiful.
The Bad:
Not everything works... the main cast is good, but they also introduced characters (such as Grant in episode 3) and plot points that were left dangling - introduced and then forgotten. If the show had been picked up for subsequent seasons, these items could be resolved and or at least revisited.
The main teens (and their friends / love interests) vary between endearing and annoying, often edging toward annoying.
Other Comments:
-The show had lots of potential, but unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to thrive. At the end of Season 1, there were unresolved points and a definite direction for a potential Season 2.
-Despite the limited run, this is an enjoyable show. The dancing is beautiful and it holds-up well to repeat viewings.
-The show was critically acclaimed and had multiple calls/campaigns for renewal.
-Bishop was a professional dancer and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical in 1976 for originating the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line.
-Hunter Foster, who plays Michelle's brother Scotty, is her brother in real life. He is also a Broadway star. He has a limited role in the 18 episodes, but does have the opportunity to duet with his sister.
-Nathan Parsons is a solid love interest as Godot, but I do wish we saw more of the other options - Alan Ruck's Hubbell, Chris Eigeman as Conor the director, and Steve Eckholdt as wealthy recluse Grant. Foster had good chemistry with each, and while I appreciate Parsons, it seemed like they were planning to do more with Grant... or at least have him be a friend or ally to Michelle.
-Every episode includes at least one Gilmore Girls alum (also created by Sherman-Palladino) in small or recurring role.
-Several of the cast members / recurring characters appear in Sherman-Palladino's Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
-Favorite dance: Episode 17 "It's Not a Mint" - the mining helmets dance set to the the Sparks "I Predict".
Bunheads (2012-2013)
Creator: Amy Sherman -Palladino & Lamar Damon
Starring: Sutton Foster as Michelle Simms
Kelly Bishop as Fanny Flowers
Kaitlin Jenkins as Bettina "Boo" Jordan
Julia Goldani Telles as Sasha Torres
Bailey Buntain as Ginny Thompson
Emma Dumont as Melanie Segal
Stacey Oristano as Truly Stone
RaJahnae Patterson as RaJahnae
Casey J. Adler as Carl
Zak Henri as Charlie Segal
Angelina McCoy as Talia
Matisse Love as Matisse
Nathan Parsons as Godot
Garrett Coffey as Roman
Hunter Foster as Scotty Simms
Jeanine Mason as Cozette
Niko Pepaj as Frankie
Kent Boyd as Jordan
Gabriel Notarangelo as Josh