Review: VANILLA, VAULT Festival
Laura Mead writes with prudish humour while Keith Swainston directs her, Ned Wakeley (Dan), and Scott Henderson in a production that’s almost as uninteresting as Katie and Dan’s sex life. Mead’s script is as traditional as the missionary position, but wishes to be as funny as an inappropriate joke at a funeral. She gives her character a silver tongue and wit for days, and she’s great at delivering too, but the plot is awkwardly stale in its predictability.
BWW Review: JESSICA LANG DANCE Paints Nuanced Portraits of Brotherhood
The French make a game of finding the perfect word for a phrase. For choreographer Jessica Lang the word is never in doubt. She is a master builder of choreographic phrases. Attending June 14th's opening of her 5th Anniversary concert at the Joyce was a bit like watching the construction of bridge; you may not have known why a thing was being done but it was clear that it served a purpose. This is not to say that the craftsmanship was obvious, if anything it was immaculately rendered. While the charge could reasonably be made that her work lacks mystery, what stands out about Ms. Lang's choreography is how well formulated it is; every move and gesture has been considered in the name of efficiency.
BWW Interview: JESSICA LANG Conquers The World
A month ago while Jessica Lang was in Utah working with Ballet West, I rang her to interview her about her incredible year of ongoing success. Years ago I took class with Robert Battle and struck up a dance friendship with his company dancers including Jessica's husband Kanji Segawa. But I have never met Jessica herself. Of course she is the 'It Woman' of dance so I know a bit about her. With her embarrassment of accolades one would have to have their head buried in the sand not to. Besides the rapturous praise she has received for her work, she has also secured numerous commissions (American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theatre Tokyo, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Richmond Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ailey II, ABT II, Hubbard Street 2, and New York City Ballet's Choreographic Institute, among many others), received many high profile awards (New York City Center Fellow for 2015, 2014 Bessie Award, 2013 Manchester Theatre Award, grants from Jerome Robbins Foundation, the NEA, the Choo San Goh Foundation, and a 2010 Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), is opening her own dance center in Long Island City, and is celebrating her company's 5th Anniversary Season at the Joyce. But how did she come to all of this?
JESSICA LANG DANCE 5th Season - Three New York Premieres and More Beginning Tonight!
Jessica Lang Dance, under the artistic direction of choreographer Jessica Lang, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary season with a week-long engagement at The Joyce Theater on June 14 – 19, 2016, featuring five pieces, including three New York premieres. There will be a post-performance Curtain Chat discussion with Lang and dancers from the company following the performance on June 15.
Chris Myers to Recite Shakespeare Sonnets During Jessica Lang Dance's SWEET SILENT THOUGHT
In honor of the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, Jessica Lang Dance will present the NY premiere of Sweet Silent Thought, inspired by five of the Master's sonnets. The work features readings of Sonnets 30, 40, 64, 71 and 105, by actors Chris Myers (Obie Award, Octoroon), Chukwudi Iwuji (Shakespeare Festival's King Lear) and Nilanjana Bose-Ciupinska, as part of the company's week-long season at The Joyce, running June 14 – 19, 2016.
JESSICA LANG DANCE Announces 5th Season - Three New York Premieres and More!
Jessica Lang Dance, under the artistic direction of choreographer Jessica Lang, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary season with a week-long engagement at The Joyce Theater on June 14 – 19, 2016, featuring five pieces, including three New York premieres. There will be a post-performance Curtain Chat discussion with Lang and dancers from the company following the performance on June 15.
BWW Reviews: JESSICA LANG DANCE Mixes Movement with Graphic Elements
Although Jessica Lang Dance was founded in 2011, Artistic Director Jessica Lang is no newcomer to the dance scene. Lang, a disciple of Twyla Tharp, is on the faculty of American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and has been an active choreographer since 1999. Lang's signature style marries classical movements with a "striking design element." This theme played out through Jessica Lang Dance's performance at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, an evening co-presented with Washington Performing Arts and City Dance. The graphic component in particular was inconsistent throughout the evening and did not always further Lang's artistic vision.
BWW Reviews: Wandering with Jessica Lang Dance
Jessica Lang Dance premiered The Wanderer at BAM Fisher in a wintery diorama that showcased Artistic Director and Choreographer Jessica Lang's comprehensive design. Starting a few minutes late on Friday, December 5th allowed time to observe the stage. Five white trees made of coiled rope hung from the ceiling, four white ledges protruded from one wall, a white ladder dangled in the balcony, and a white marley floor tracked a U-shape filled with black marley. In this minimalist scape, Lang's dancers morphed from beings to elements of nature with Schubert's libretto (The Fair Maid of the Mill).
Jacob's Pillow Welcomes Jessica Lang Dance to Doris Duke Theatre, Now thru 8/11
From today, August 7-11 in the Doris Duke Theatre, Jacob's Pillow presents the highly anticipated return of Jessica Lang Dance, a contemporary ballet company led by Artistic Director and choreographer Jessica Lang. The company debuted at the Pillow during the 2012 Festival to rave reviews and sold-out performances. Jessica Lang Dance returns this season with five works, including a world premiere.
Jacob's Pillow to Welcome Jessica Lang Dance to Doris Duke Theatre, 8/7-11
From August 7-11 in the Doris Duke Theatre, Jacob's Pillow presents the highly anticipated return of Jessica Lang Dance, a contemporary ballet company led by Artistic Director and choreographer Jessica Lang. The company debuted at the Pillow during the 2012 Festival to rave reviews and sold-out performances. Jessica Lang Dance returns this season with five works, including a world premiere.
Morphoses Premieres WITHIN (LABYRINTH WITHIN) at The Joyce Theater, Now thru 11/11
Morphoses, whose adventurous and spunky spirit has given it a singular place in the dance world, returns to The Joyce Theater tonight, November 7-11. The engagement features the New York premiere of the dance "Within (Labyrinth Within)" that includes the film "Labyrinth Within," both of which are by Swedish filmmaker and choreographer Pontus Lidberg, Morphoses' 2012 Resident Artistic Director.
Morphoses Premieres WITHIN (LABYRINTH WITHIN) at The Joyce Theater, 11/7-11
Morphoses, whose adventurous and spunky spirit has given it a singular place in the dance world, returns to The Joyce Theater, November 7-11. The engagement features the New York premiere of the dance "Within (Labyrinth Within)" that includes the film "Labyrinth Within," both of which are by Swedish filmmaker and choreographer Pontus Lidberg, Morphoses' 2012 Resident Artistic Director.
Tharp's Sinatra Wynn Special to Feature COME FLY AWAY Company
Twyla Tharp's new show at Wynn Las Vegas - SINATRA Dance With Me - will feature 14 of the world's finest dancers, including Karine Plantadit, Keith Roberts, Laurie Kanyok, John Selya, Laura Mead, Charlie Neshyba-Hodges, Marielys Molina, Matthew Stockwell Dibble, Todd Burnsed, Michelle Camaya, Kyle DesChamps, Meredith Miles, Mark Myars, Candy Olsen, Justin Peck, Carolyn Doherty, Amanda Edge, Cody Green and Ronny Todorowski.
The 6th Annual Suzi Bass Awards Presented Nov. 8th
The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. announced nominations for the 2009-2010 Atlanta professional theatrical season this evening to an enthusiastic crowd of patrons and theatre industry artists. Guest announcers LaLa Cochran, Bart Hansard, and Anthony Rodriquez joined Suzi Awards Executive Director Deadra Moore in sharing the list of Nominees while playfully riffing on the 2009/2010 Atlanta theatre season.
TV Flashback: Opening Night of COME FLY AWAY!
COME FLY AWAY will conclude its Broadway run on Sunday, September 5 at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway at 46th Street) after 26 previews and 187 regular performances. Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and featuring vocals by Frank Sinatra, COME FLY AWAY will launch a national tour in May, 2011 in Chicago. More details on this extensive, multi-city national tour will be announced at a later date.
COME FLY AWAY to Close September 5
The critically acclaimed Broadway musical COME FLY AWAY will conclude its Broadway run on Sunday, September 5 at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway at 46th Street) after 26 previews and 187 regular performances. Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and featuring vocals by Frank Sinatra, COME FLY AWAY will launch a national tour in May, 2011 in Chicago. More details on this extensive, multi-city national tour will be announced at a later date.
COME FLY AWAY to Close September 5
The critically acclaimed Broadway musical COME FLY AWAY will conclude its Broadway run on Sunday, September 5 at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway at 46th Street) after 26 previews and 187 regular performances. Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and featuring vocals by Frank Sinatra, COME FLY AWAY will launch a national tour in May, 2011 in Chicago. More details on this extensive, multi-city national tour will be announced at a later date.