Wednesday 1 June 2016

Anita says...June 2016


An entire month away from home, watching many varieties of dance, theatre and performance art forces me to spend more time and space than usual on a densely packed month of May.
#TRIPLE THREAT NYC

There are movies every dancer must watch, books that are a must read and plays/shows that should not be missed. Broadway continues to be the testing ground for so many great and inventive choreographers. The unique demands of creating for “THE GREAT WHITE WAY” (a euphemism for the glittering lights of Broadway in NYC) has spawned some of the most exciting choreography in American modern dance history. Remember Jerome Robbins’ stunning dance designs for WEST SIDE STORY in 1957 which was later adapted to film in 1961? The opening scene on the basketball court that morphs seamlessly into a dance “battle” between the two rival teams, SHARKS vs JETS? Ballet, modern dance and sports images fused effortlessly like a champion dribbling the creative ball. On a recent visit to New York, I watched AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. The Gershwin lyrics, “I Got Rhythm", "S Wonderful” had me foot tapping in my seat. It was exhilaration from the moment the curtain rose. The male lead was performed by Garen Scribner, a former dancer at NDT1, the fabulous Netherlands contemporary dance company. The TRIPLE WHAMMY of dancing, singing and acting that Broadway exemplifies, always leaves me awestruck. Imagine 8 shows a week. Non stop. For months without end. I wonder how most Indian dancers would handle even a 6 performance week long “run”. Think of what Akram Khan has done for the past 15 years!  3 shows a week without stop. That, according to his manager Farookh Chaudhry!  Mind bogging!


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1 comment:

  1. Anita, so well written..Your editorials are something that I always look forward to every month...and the best part of the whole thing is you call a spade a spade because you have no axe to grind....There is a lot to learn from you..Be there always..Stay Blessed..

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