OCU BROADWAY REVUE
TAKES THE STAGE
MARCH 7 TO 9
Today's post is for Marjorie Ramana
who loves dance.

 

Kickline photo courtesy of Oklahoma City University

 Oklahoma City University’s American Spirit Dance Company will celebrate American dance from Broadway to Hollywood as they present the spring Broadway Revue from March 7 to 9.

This year the OCU Starettes will kick off the show with a routine worthy of a performance at Radio City Music Hall, said Director Jo Rowan.

“Our dancers cut loose with an exciting tap dance using chairs to the music of the movie ‘Footloose’ and then the dance ‘Cool’ from ‘West Side Story,’” Rowan noted.

The audience will get a taste of the “Wild West,” with a balletic number set to Aaron Copland’s iconic “Rodeo” score. Rowan said the number incorporates the strength and determination of Oklahoma’s cowboys.

“Summer Montage” presents a fast-paced tap and jazz competition which ultimately unifies the two styles into a dynamic duo before dancers get lost in a music video to the song “Melody,” an expression of the passionate connection humans have to music and how it can provide an emotional escape. In “The Pines,” show goers can take a lyrical fairy stroll in the moonlight and discover a moving mystery magical realm.

In Act 2, “Never Enough,” a beautiful love story to music from the movie “The Greatest Showman,” tells the story of a woman who declares that her relationship is more important than all the fame and money in the world.

Rowan added that musicals with a Latin beat are the rage of Broadway.

“Our couples dance to a sizzling Samba retro beat that is sure to ‘Spice Up Your Life,’” she noted. “Our dancers’ high-energy tap dancing to sensational music with fascinating rhythms is sure to get your feet tapping and your soul swaying to ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,’ ‘Sibling Rivalry,’ and the classic ‘Dr. Buster Brown’s Laura.’”

The show also features disco with “Knock on Wood.” “Yes, jumpsuits, big hair and sequins,” Rowan noted. “More is more in this flashback to 1979.”

The exquisite music composition of Justin Hurwitz from the movie “La La Land” is brought to life in “Lovely Night” as stunning dancers embody the night sky and create the romance that brings two reluctant young people together.

All of these dances and more from film, ballet and musicals are part of this year’s Broadway Revue, featuring the professional performers of tomorrow. OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment has been named the No. 1 BFA dance program in the nation by OnStage.

Show times are 8 p.m. March 7 and 8 and 2 and 8 p.m. March 9. For tickets, call 405-208-5227 or visit okcu.edu/tickets.

RUN, DON'T WALK TO 
LAST PERFORMANCE
OF "LA SYLPHIDE"

Commentary by Nancy Condit

     The Oklahoma City Ballet gave a wonderful performance of August Bournonville's
ballet "La Sylphide," first performed in 1836. Miki Kawamura was outstanding as
the Sylphide in her last performance with the ballet as she retires to become a ballet 
master for the OKC Ballet. Alvin Tostogray was equally good as the groom to be who
is beguiled by the Sylphide.
     The scenery and costumes, courtesy of the Boston Ballet, provided an outstanding
backdrop particularly for Act II  placed in "A Glade in the Forest." In the Romantic
scenery, the depth of the the light blue sky behind the trees set off the sylphs' calf 
length white tutus, and the men's kilts. This gave further feeling that the Scottish
setting was an exotic place.
     Jacob Sparso is particularly notable for his staging of the reel/jig at the end of the
first act, with Tostogray and Amanda Herd-Popejoy, playing Effie, his fiancee. Also 
noteworthy was the appearance of Kawamura's appearance in the manor-house window,
as she stood dressed in white, and in act II where Kawamura and Tostogray danced in
front of a backdrop of the corps sylphs.
     Herman Severin Lovenskjold's music was well played by the Oklahoma City
Philharmonic, led by Andrews Sill.
     The ballet is scheduled for one more performance Sunday, tomorrow, at 2 p.m.  
at the Civic Center Music Hall. Appearing as the Sylphide is Courtney Connor Jones, 
as the groom, James, is Jonathan Batista, and as Effie is Amanda Herd-Popejoy.

OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET
PRESENTS LA SYLPHIDE

Principals Miki Kawamura and Alvin Tovstogray

Photo by Shevaun Williams

Courtesy of Oklahoma City Ballet

Tickets are now on sale for the captivating love story that is La Sylphide. Come see Oklahoma City Ballet in this ethereal production that captures the beauty of classical ballet. La Sylphide is one of the world’s oldest surviving ballets. With a glorious score from Løvenskiold and August Bournonville’s original choreography, this performance is sure to be a treat. The ballet is staged by Jacob Sparso, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will be conducted by Andrew Sill.

This production is not to be missed as Principal dancer Miki Kawamura will be retiring from the stage, dancing her final piece with Oklahoma City Ballet on February 23, 2019.

La Sylphide runs February 22-24 at Civic Center Music Hall with music performed by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Tickets will be selling fast, so here’s how to get them:

·         Go to https://www.okcballet.org/performance/la-sylphide/

·         Or call our box office at (405) 848-TOES

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