Valerie-Jean Miller - Page 4

BLUE13 Dance Company is a contemporary Indian dance theatre ensemble based in Los Angeles, with a mission to connect diverse audiences through the power of live, aesthetically and culturally daring dance. For over a decade, Blue13 has performed in the U.S. and abroad in it's highly energetic and theatrical modern dance style that is inspired by the classical and cultural art forms of the Indian subcontinent. A first-generation South Asian American, Blue13's Artistic director, Achinta S. McDaniel pulls precision, humor, and deep emotion from her ensemble to create work as rebellious and unconventional as its architect. Storytelling through dance is central to the company, as is a continual exploration of technique with its diverse cast of dancers. The work is moody, rhythmic, and charged, presenting the audience with an intelligent experience of performance that turns the cultural stereotype of Indian dance on its head.

The dancers manifested exquisite flowing lines hit, yet not lingered on, as they lyrically moved to the next count of the music ever so smoothly, sometimes creating in between that and the next beat, a separate movement, sort of a bridge from the last position and the next... an asterisk; exclamation point, if you will... or a grace note... The stunning choreography will sweep you away to the haunting, gritty, yet buoyantly hopeful lyrics of Leonard Cohen. He has such a unique style to his writings and his presentation. This extraordinary company and their Artistic Director Louis Robitaille, have taken the essence of his intent and transformed it into internal emotion and external movement, simultaneously. By that, I mean, when they dance and move, or pose, their bodies are feeling the emotion being expressed through words or music. The way this was presented, so seamlessly blending from one piece, even though separate choreographers, into the next piece on the repertoire, it just seemed a magical, visual extravaganza for both the eyes and the soul. The company received Leonard Cohen's blessing to perform this amazing tribute, and it is indeed, special and poignant.

Cleverly and wittingly written, not only the book, but the intricate, explanatory and humorous lyrics to the ten musical numbers written for the show with wonderful vocal arrangements to match; Law and Order; The Musical, delivers the clues, the facts, the suspects, the crime and plenty of hilarity during this mock-up and laugh-a-minute parody spoofing the epic long-running TV drama.  The spiffy and caricatured choreography was an added bonus to the already lively, full of energy cast of characters we meet.  Being a long-time fan of the series, it was fun to mix and match the characters to the different actors you've seen playing those roles.   The woman behind all this creativity is Ilyse Mimoun, who plays one of the leads, and has written, directed and is executive producer of this brand new endeavor.  Kudos to the entire cast for mastering the extensive dialogue, lyrics, musical staging, choreography, and some really great harmony!

Thaddeus Phillips, an internationally acclaimed Theater Director/Designer, and the Creator, Performer and Scenic Designer of his one-man show entitled '17 Border Crossings,' has created a vividly imaginative journey on stage, based on his own intercontinental travelings. Directed by Tatiana Mallarino, the California premiere, after playing in New York, Moscow and Hong Kong to sold out crowds, taxied in to Santa Monica at the Broad Stage, for a two-night run, January 24th and 25th, 2020.

HOLLYWOOD, CA   JANUARY, 2020 There was quite the wild opening night going on at the fabulous Montalban Theatre, in Hollywood, this past month. And I have a feeling, every night since, until it closed it's two-week run, due mostly to cast members' former commitments, it felt much the same. The audience was treated to an embellished redux of the 1975 cult smash hit of the same name.

MOVES at The Montalban's Dance Festival Opens with the Capezio A.C.E. Awards Finalists' Performances and Erik Saradpon's Extraordinary Dance Company FORMALITY LIVE! The first two of four nights of the Annual Dance Festival, MOVES, smartly and efficiently produced by Break the Floor Productions, were filled with high energy, creativity abounding, energy-charged and inspired performances, including promising talent both new and emerging. Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Capezio A.C.E. Awards Finalists and Award Ceremony The Capezio A.C.E. Awards crowned a 2020 winner, playing to a jam-packed house at the historic Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood as part of the MOVES at The Montalbán dance festival produced by Break the Floor Productions and presented by Capezio. The illustrious panel of chosen judges, all esteemed dancers/choreographers, included Marguerite Derricks, Vincent Paterson, Anita Mann, Ray Leeper, Tony Selznick and Tessandra Chavez. All well-established and widely respected by their peers, these judges are the cream of the crop in the dance world and industry.

If you are a Scrooge, a Disgruntled Elf, a Melting Snowman or a Reindeer with Bone Spurs, or you just don't enjoy the holiday hubbub, you will be surprised at how much fun you'll have as Neil Patrick Harris, communicating through the Queen's Magic Mirror, guides and cautions us through this beloved fable, and Snow White, played by the beautiful Olivia Sanabia, befitting of every accolade, and including The Wicked Queen, Muddles The Court Jester, Prince Harry, Herman The Huntsman and the Seven Dwarves highly entertain us with merriment, singing and dancing, lots of corny jokes and full-on audience participation.

The Tides have changed, not so much from Global Warning, but through Matthew Bourne's latest, revised version of his creation 'Swan Lake.' Thrilling, audacious, witty and emotive, this 'Swan Lake' is perhaps still best known for switching the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm. Collecting over 30 international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tony Awards on Broadway, Matthew Bourne's powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary 'Swan Lake' for our times.

November 22, 2019 Astonishing in their choice of repertoire, their innovative choreography, their elaborate and colorfully creative costuming and their commanding performance of the choreography. Don't let this first photo confuse you. This Company is so many things, and the picture represents but one facet of their dance works ~ I just had to use it for the beauty and uniqueness of it. The evening commenced with a sextet of pieces that were entitled The Heritage of the Great Steppe, following the history and traditions of the Kazakhstan people. Beautifully executed and visually stunning, each one was unique.

I just had the best chat with Anita Mann. If there ever was a Wonder Woman, she is that! Beauty, Brains, Talent, Boundless Energy and Enthusiasm for Life and a non-stop yearning to elevate Dancers and the Dance World to greater heights and recognition. The Director, Producer, Choreographer, Dancer, Actress, Wife (of 20 years) Mom, Grandmother, Philanthropist, Mentor, Teacher, Humanitarian, whom I have admired for many decades is an icon in the Entertainment Industry. In fact, she has worked with an array of Icons herself, and will be honored this coming Saturday, November 16th, 2019 by The Luminario Ballet Company, for her Lifetime Achievement and Influence in Choreography, at their 2019 Gala Fundraiser “Gala Bacchanal” at the Beverly Hills Women's Club.

This story takes place within a few weeks' time, about an affable guy who happens to be grieving a devastating loss. a?oeChamp,a?? a nickname Richard's beloved wife dubbed him, is all stressed out.  It has been a year since his wife has passed away, and he has settled into his lonely but nonetheless new pattern of going to the gym every day, then the Sandwich shop where he always gets the exact same order, brings it home and eats it as he talks to his dead wife.  Susie, or as he dubbed her, a?oePrincess,a?? who is not among the living anymore, although all her photos and belongings are laid out prominently in the living room, wanders about (we, the audience can actually see her) reacting silently to his dialogue. Billed as a Dramedy, the play is cleverly written and produced by Art Shulman (a?oeI Got Troubles;a?? a?oe The Rabbi's Mission;a?oe  a?oeOld Broads Can't Dunk;a?? God, Bring Me A Miracle;a?? a?oeBoxcar & Eugenia,a??) and many more, and Directed quite proficiently by Stan Mazin (As Director:  a?oeDoubting Thomas;a?? a?oeGod, Bring Me A Miracle;a??a?? The Prisoner of Second Ave.;a?? a?oeGive 'Em Hell Harry;a?? a?oeStepping Out;a?? As  choreographer:  a?oeBells Are Ringing;a?? a?oeAnything Goes;a?? a?oeFestival;a?? a?oeChicago;a?? a?oeJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat;a?? a?oePippin;a?? a?oeDames at Sea;a?? a?oeSuperstar,a?? et al.  Stan also appeared as a dancer/actor on the Carol Burnett show for a decade and his autobiography, a?oeA Dancer in Depth,a?? is available on Amazon.com and BN.com).     

ometimes it's nice not to have to follow a dramatic storyline throughout a ballet, and just be able to enjoy the performances, the artistry, the costumes, the captivating choreography and the whole presentation. This, is such a ballet. Before the performance began, there was a wonderful, informative and interesting lecture, or talk, given on the expansive and beautiful mezzanine of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion by Elizabeth Kaye. It's worth the fight through the rush-hour traffic to get there in time to listen to her expound on the history and trademarks of this impeccable and invaluable Ballet Company. It so enhances everything when you see the performance. It is an offering from Glory Kaufman Presents: Dance at the Music Center at the Los Angeles' premiere venue for dance, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The 9th Annual World Choreography Awards (WCA) celebrate creativity and innovation by recognizing global excellence in the art of choreography in movies, TV, music video and digital media. Based on works completed in 2018, the winners of eight categories will be announced at the Red Carpet Ceremony on November 11 at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The Show will be hosted by Heather Morris (a?oeGLEEa??) and limited tickets are still available on eventbrite.com a?" ticket   link:  http://bit.ly/2NrgrVZ, www.tickets-center.com/a?? or through the Saban Theatre.

One Performance Only! This Sunday, November 3, 2019! Long ago but not far away at all, there were many TV Variety Shows, Award Ceremonies, Music Centers and Theatre abounding with live Musical Performances, all with massive budgets; and dancers in this town, Los Angeles, made a darn good living, albeit having to work their asses off to do so, but it was a good and plentiful, fulfilling life. Besides myself, there was a plethora of working, professional dancers who ended up bonding together pretty easily, as a dancer's life is one of a nomad, or gypsy, going from one job to another, but in doing so, finding kindred spirits and lifelong connections. Jay Johnson, husband of one of these dancers and artistically gifted himself, was part of the artistic community, as was his wife, Sandi, and, typical with dancers, became close friends and comrades with other dancers, choreographers, and like-minded performers. As Jay was earning international fame as a ventriloquist, actor and comedian, and starring on the hit TV Series 'Soap,' us dancers were slaving away, happy to be able to make a living doing what we loved. Jay is best known for his role on ' Soap' as Chuck Campbell, a ventriloquist who believed his puppet Bob was real and demanded everyone treat Bob as human.

Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, a?oe1984a?? is the story of Winston Smith, who has come to the attention of the state of Oceania, the authoritarian state. Initially written in 1949, meaning that it was projecting 35 years into the future at that time, it is uncanny, that, 35 years later, it is being presented yet once again, and, terrifyingly, it is probably more relevant than ever before. With the brutal soul-searching, diary-exposing help of four Party Members of a?oeThe Ministry of Truth,a?? and a maiming stun gun, Winston is forced to confess his Thoughtcrimes before an unseen questioner, and the audience (surrounding the square stage in the middle on all four sides; it's almost as if they are secretly witnesses and jury) is up close and personal witnessing the torture and depredation being dealt to Mr. Smith.

There are four different playlets, newly written and presented by Eugene Pack, narrated by Rebecca Lane, that are 'put on their feet,' as the actors hold scripts and improvise their newly seen dialogue. This is now happening monthly. They delve into the crazy, neurotic, blundering, very relatable characters with relish, which works very nicely for that feeling where audiences and performers share all having fun together, feeding off of each others' enthusiasm. That's what you call a 'Good House.'

There's a new Dance Movie, which opened nationwide Friday, October 11th, that's sure to advance the genre in popularity.  In the last few decades “Dirty Dancing,” “Footloose,” “Flashdance,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Staying Alive” and more recently “La La Land” all caused quite a stir when they hit theatres, and many of them are still quite popular today.   “High Strung Free Dance” and it's predecessor “High Strung' (2016) has everything you could want to see and hear in a film about dance, music and dancers. Written and produced by professional dancer Janine Best Damian “Solid Gold” and numerous film and television appearances, and her talented actor/singer/director/composer/husband Michael Damian (Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”/Broadway; 18 years appearing on “The Young and the Restless,” among many other credits for directing, as a vocalist and creating soundtracks for films he's also directed). This latest film is one out of 13 films he has written and produced with Janeen, as well as directed; ”Marley and Me: The Puppy Years,' the “Flicka” franchise, and more.

Saturday, September 27-29, 2019 The Los Angeles Youth Ballet's Artistic Director, Andrea Paris-Gutierrez, introduced the program for the evening, giving a warm welcome to the audience. The first half of the 'bill' was entitled 'Mixed Motions.'  Talented Choreographer Cedric Dodd, mounting his work on the company members of the Youth Ballet, gives a fantastic opportunity for these young Company members, getting to learn different styles of choreography, then performing it, in their growth as dancers.  

Body Traffic is a world-renown contemporary dance company, based in Los Angeles, and is The Wallis's 2019/20 Company-in-Residence.  A perfect match-up with the Wallis's imaginative and varied program schedule for the year. Lillian Barbeito and Tina Finkelman Burkett, the Artistic Directors, founded BODYTRAFFIC in 2007. They have nurtured this company for twelve years and it shows.  The entire company has evolved into something vital, representing many current issues on the minds of everyone these days.

September 21, 2019 Olga Pericet presents her unique flamenco flair, in “La Espina... que quiso ser flor o la flor que soñó con ser bailaora” or 'The Thorn That Wanted to Be a Flower, or The Flower That Dreamed of Being a Dancer' Having recently been the recipient of the National dance prize in 2018, one of the highest acknowledgments that can be received in Spain, and bestowed with innumerable honors and awards previously. Pericet, now in her 15th year as a choreographer,  brings her original, unique and authentic performance to the John Anson Ford Theatre.