Led by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, and Robert Van Leer, Executive Director & CEO of The Wallis, BODYTRAFFIC uses the creative spirit of its Los Angeles home to fulfill its mission of delivering performances that inspire audiences simply to love dance. Since its inception in 2007, the company has held its place at the forefront of the concert dance world by encouraging audiences to explore what it means to be human through movement. Their versatility, inventive style, and ability to perform a variety of works by contemporary choreographers utilizing many styles, including hip-hop and ballet, draws crowds of fans wherever they appear.
BODYTRAFFIC recently returned to The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on December 6 & 7 with a new 3-piece performance piece titled This Reminds Me of You, which dives into the power of memories sparked by unexpected reminders, whether it’s a painting, song, or sensation, which provoke deep feelings of nostalgia for times gone by. These glimpses of the past don’t simply fade away; they shape our future and forge lasting connections between us.
The beautifully whimsical and innovative world premiere of Mayday features choreography by Trey McIntyre saluting the music of Buddy Holly. Eight exquisite dancers in midriff-bearing costumes designed by Karen Young and constructed by Victoria Bek, with each wearing Holly’s trademark horned-rimmed frames, tap out his Rockabilly beat on their bodies, reminding us how his music reached down into our souls. Composed of solos, pas de deux and ensemble work, Holly’s featured songs included “Everyday,” “Not Face Away,” “True Love Ways,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Learning the Game,” “Words of Love,” “Oh Boy,” and “Peggy Sue.”
But there will always be a darkness hanging over Buddy Holly’s music: his death at age 22 in a small plane crash. To keep that sense of dread intact, the dancers move within each song’s choreography flying a small red airplane in their hands through the happy memories of his Rockabilly beat – reminding us that life can be cut short at any moment. And yet we still dance, still move toward love, and live as if infinity lies before us. And thanks to his joyful songs, Holly’s spirit of youthful joy in music will live on forever.
The second act begins with the west coast premiere of I Forgot The Start with choreography by Matthew Neenan, which walks the line between joy and grief to illuminate the sheer relentlessness of hope. Featuring seven dancers in flowy beige costumes, the work offers an honest exploration of resilience in the pursuit of connection despite life’s uncertainties, reminding us there is no light without the darkness. Occasionally dancers hop across the stage as frogs, while others fly an assortment of birds above, reminding us to celebrate all of Earth’s wondrous creatures. This piece is definitively more introspective with flowing movements, highlighted by several outstanding pas de deux.
The final piece is the world premiere of Incense Burning on a Saturday Morning: The Maestro with choreography by Juel D. Lane and original music composition by Munir Zakee, set against the vibrant backdrop of Ernie Barnes’ iconic and energic depictions of life through ensemble and partner work. An exquisitely lithe dancer portrays the enigmatic woman in the yellow dress who weaves her way through his moody paintings. With movements guided by the beat of ancestral rhythms, the work emphasizes resilience and serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity, including peaks of artistic joy as well as representations of the depths of depression as Barnes creates and then destroys his work.
Kudos to all the BODYTRAFFIC dancers who brought such focused artistic vision to the stage: Chandler Davidson, Katie Garcia, Pedro Garcia, Anaya Gonzalez, Alana Jones, Ty Morrison, Joan Rodriguez, and Jordan Santiago. More info at https://www.bodytraffic.com/
After performing her hilarious stand-up show Not That Jewish? at The Braid in Santa Monica for 14 months, Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian Monica Piper delighted New York audiences by taking it off-Broadway for almost a year! To honor the place where it all started, Monica is bringing her critically-acclaimed solo show back to The Braid as the inaugural production in its new performance space at 3435 Ocean Park Blvd., #107-85 in Santa Monica 90405. Opens Saturday, December 14 at 7:30pm with shows on Thursday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through December 29. Tickets are $40, available at The-Braid.org/Monica
Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate’s Christmas is a singing, swashbuckling adventure performed in the high-flying style of a British holiday Panto. Take off on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy, and Peter Pan as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to The Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone!
Written by Kris Lythgoe, with choreography by Clarice Ordaz, musical direction by Michael Sobie, and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate’s Christmasis being presented by 5-Star Theatricals, Toarts & Lythgoe Family Productions,featuring John O’Hurley as Captain Hook,Alkaio Thiele as Peter Pan, Julia Roome as Wendy, Nayah Damasen as Tinker Bell, Ben Giroux as Smee, and Camryn Eakes as Tiger Lily.
Performances in the intimate Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks take place December 13-29 on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. There will be an added performance on Friday, December 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $39.50 to $59.50 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling the box office at (805) 449-2787. Group discounts are available by calling the box office which is open 10am – 2pm, Tuesday through Sunday and two hours prior to each performance. For more info on all shows and programming, visit 5startheatricals.com or bapacthousandoaks.com.