Making his musical theatre directorial debut, Jake Tyler delivers a wonderful production of HEATHERS-THE MUSICAL for The Mitchell Old Company, a new independent theatre company.
Artistic Director and Choreographer David Parsons himself introduced the single performance evening at The Segerstrom to a thirsty audience, eager to see the dance company that had been lauded in advance at the beginning of this year's season and of course the much awaited return to live performances and audiences. He gave us a revised rundown of the pieces that were to be performed that night. He is very personable, relatable and captivating as he explains their endeavors, processes and the added hardships Covid placed on the company. The dancers, over the past year-and-a-half were in seven separate 'bubbles' to be able to work on and perfect the choreography. We learned after the performance, in a short Q & A with the dancers and David, that some of the dancers had only been with the company a few months! Their repertoire is quite extensive and precise with many lifts and lots of technique; not an easy feat! And not easy on the feet! They did not disappoint!
For me, an exciting evening in the theater and in the world of ballet. The name Ballet'X' connotes a modern term denoting non-gendered, non-binary, and inclusivity. I instantly discerned that this company was on top of the latest consciousness, and has incorporated not only this, but the latest trend of mixing forms of dance together, the latest in staging and technology, and superbly trained young, up-and-coming dancers. The program for the evening consisted of three new works, by three diverse, world-renowned choreographers, all set on the dancers in the company. This young company, based in Philadelphia, is amazingly together with an eclectic repertoire, presenting a clean, fully executed array of interesting choreography and interpretations.
The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the world premiere of CULLUD WATTAH, written by 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize winner Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Candis C. Jones.
