Review: I Made You a Mixtape - Energetic Dorm Party Fun

"I Made You a Mixtape" is an undefinable, vibrant, and somewhat chaotic performance, unlike any other. As director Christie Lee Manning of Response Theatre Company explains, it's not strictly a play, musical, or dance show, despite being predominantly dance-focused with the addition of handwritten captions. It captures the authentic way people dance, or how one might imagine dancing, particularly as nine girls at a 1990s North American college dorm party, the setting for this production.

The show immediately immerses the audience in nostalgia, featuring a camcorder, cassette tapes, a Friends board game, outfits reminiscent of Sporty Spice, and a soundtrack filled with pop-punk and alt-rock hits (Blink-182, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers) from the 90s. Live drums and guitar amplify the visceral experience.

Regardless of whether the music resonates with your youth, the universal and infectious element is the palpable sense of possibility among these young women on the cusp of their futures. It evokes that perfect moment when life feels open to exploration – perhaps the 90s offered more of this feeling than today. The freedom to be wild is amplified by a sense of safety, with a giddy energy bubbling like the Dr Pepper on the snack table. The girls thrive on music and friendship, sharing hugs, tears, arguments, and reconciliations, swaying to songs with distant gazes or emphatically singing lyrics, embodying pure joy and hope through movement.

Each performer possesses a distinct physical style, incorporating Latin dance, waacking, and MTV-inspired hip-hop. Together, their individual talents coalesce into something greater, representing the essence of female friendship. We are introduced to the women and informed that their paths will diverge after this night. While some of this is explored within the musical numbers, the production misses an opportunity to fully develop the emotional depth and inner drama of the characters. With greater intention, the show could be a tearjerker, much like a mascara-smudged face during an emotional moment, as well as a fantastic party.