Choreographer Jean Isaacs, artistic director of San Diego Dance Theater, has been a presence on the local dance scene for almost 40 years. Last year, at age 67, she decided to explore the possibility of incorporating older dancers into her work. What’s different about choreographing for senior dancers?
“They keep forgetting the steps!” Isaacs said. “So we make it part of the show!”
By Diana Saenger Let’s Review! The focus is on hands for La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere musical, “Hands on a Hardbody.” Hands of contestants that must remain fixed on a truck until the last one standing wins the truck, and hands of an opening night audience that could not stop clapping after every brilliant song written [...]
A story about boys sentenced to die for something they never did is compelling enough, but mixing it up minstrel-style in the way “The Scottsboro Boys” is told, is a tour de force not to be missed. An incredible group of male actors pay homage to John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical talents as they sing and dance up a storm in the Old Globe’s West Coast premiere of “The Scottsboro Boys.”
The La Jolla Renaissance Singers (LJRS) will perform the amusing madrigal comedy hit of 1608, Adriano Banchieri’s “Festino Nella Sera del Giovedi Grasso Avanti Cena” (Entertainment for the Eve of Carnival Thursday) on two upcoming Sundays — May 13 and 20 — at different locales.
In 1931 nine African-American teenagers were riding a train to Memphis to seek work but ended up being falsely accused of raping two white girls. They were denied an impartial jury, fair trial, fair sentencing, and effective counsel in three different trials. This human drama unfolds in The Old Globe Theatre’s West Coast premiere of “The Scottsboro Boys.” Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, the show opens April 29 at The Old Globe.
Michelle Tattenbaum, director of The Old Globe Theatre’s “Nobody Loves You” is in full swing readying the musical comedy for its world premiere May 9. “It’s kind of like an old-fashioned musical — there’s comedy and romance; but it’s extremely fun and with wonderful music,” she said.
La Jolla Playhouse announced its final production of the 2012 season will be, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,” a world-premiere musical written and directed by Des McAnuff, Playhouse director emeritus (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Jersey Boys”), with music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips.
The La Jolla Playhouse’s April 27 season opener is based on the 1997 documentary film, “Hands on a Hardbody,” about contestants who compete in an endurance/sleep deprivation contest to win a brand new hardbody truck. After seeing a short preview of the musical it’s apparent this production hits the high notes in every way — solid story, amazing songs and terrific actors.
For the past 27 years, Playwrights Project has been encouraging talented writers under age 18 with a statewide Young Playwrights Contest, whose winners are offered staged readings or full productions of their works, performed by professional actors. The youngest winner to date was a 10-year-old; the 2011 winners range in age from 11 to 18. This year, as part of their annual New Play Festival, they are also presenting productions of scripts by older writers, adults over age 55 who have been learning to dramatize their life experiences in a series of workshops led by Playwrights Project founder Deborah Salzer.
‘This” could be the story of many experiencing relationship problems or trying to move on after a tragedy. Melissa James Gibson’s acclaimed play begins with friends Marrell (Judith Scott), Alan (Andrew Abelson), Tom (Richard Baird) and Jean Pierre (Matt Thompson) trying to entice Jane (Courtney Corey) into playing a game. After many objections, she relents and the result is one none of them expected.
North Coastal News
