A One-Night Only Evening of Classic and Contemporary Dance including Choreography by Artistic Director John Prinz, Michael Chernov and Gelsey Kirkland, James Kinney, Vasily Vainonen, and staging by Elena Kunikova. 'John Prinz and Friends' will take place on Sunday April 5 at 7:30 PM at The Ailey Citigroup Theater/The Joan Weill Center for Dance, 405 W 55 St.
The program this weekend will feature a new piece by Broadway dancer James Kinney. The dancer/budding choreographer recently heard a recording of Stephen Sondheim's "Another Hundred People" from the modern master's iconic musical, set in New York City - COMPANY - and felt he had to stage it. The version that became his inspiration was recorded in 1987, in London, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by the legendary Paul Gemignani, with an orchestration by Luther Henderson.
Kinney debuted the original new dance work for DANCE TRACKS NYC with a hand selected group of 7 dancers at Lincoln Center's Clark Theater in January, 2009.
The performance generated audience excitement and positive critical feedback and Dance Tracks Director Pamela Pardi asked Kinney to continue fleshing out the piece and come back in April for another showcase at The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. He returns with his expanded piece, which now has a working-title of "March" and features 12 dancers, many of whom performed in the earlier work. The dancers featured are Greer Gisy, Kathryn Mowat Murphy, Ivory McKaye, Skye Mattox, Tim McGarrigal, LaMae Caparus, Keven Quillon, Jessica Dillan, John Alix, Brian Beach, Samantha Sturm, and Brandon Tyler Fields. The 12 minute piece will open ACT II.
James Kinney has been performing professionally since the age of 15. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and began his classical training with The Florida Ballet, later melding his training into Jazz and Musical Theater. His Broadway credits include: Fosse, Dance of Death, Barry Manilow's Harmony and the most recent revival of Sweet Charity, starring Christina Applegate, where he also served as the production's Assistant Dance Captain. He continued preserving the "Fosse style" when he became the Dance Captain for choreographer Wayne Cilento's First National Tour of Sweet Charity, starring Molly Ringwald.
Film and Television appearances include: "The Producers," "The Dave Chappell Show," PBS' "Dance in America," "Fosse," "Good Morning America" and "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." Tours and regional productions include: Oklahoma!, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Cabaret, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Phantom, and the legendary Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall, at The White House and recently danced with Liza Minnelli on "Rosie Live" on NBC.
In addition, James has been teaching at Broadway Dance Center and is currently in preparatory stages, working with Donna McKechnie to create dances and musical numbers for this summer's production of GUYS & DOLLS at The legendary Hollywood Bowl, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, with Musical Director and Conductor Kevin Stites leading The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
