Coming Soon to the DOH!

The Detroit Opera House is welcoming the Grand Rapids Ballet Company again this year with their production of Aladdin. Go back in time to an enchanted Middle Eastern landscape with princesses, theives, and genies that make your wildest dreams come true. I've always loved the story of Aladdin and Jasmine and I'm very excited to see the Company's interpretation in movement. This full-length production will include lavish costumes, wonderful set-design, and of course beautiful dancers.

I saw the Grand Rapids Ballet Company last year when they performed Peter Pan. Of course being a performance intended for children, the performance and theatrics were never dull.

Romeo and Juliet by the American Ballet Theatre is also coming to the DOH. In case you're not aware, the American Ballet Theatre is one of the best ballet companies in the world. Having them at the DOH is just simply amazing! I'm not sure if any of you have seen the movie Center Stage, but there is a clip in the movie where the company is performing Romeo and Juliet with Julie Kent and Ethan Stiefel. Take a look:

[p.s.] According to IMDB.com, "When Cooper blows Jody off after the performance and walks off with another girl ( leaving Jody standing alone by the door) the "other girl" is played by Ethan Stiefel's real-life girlfriend, Gillian Murphy," who is playing Juliet at the Opera House on one of the days! Can I just say, "AMAZING!"?

So those are just a couple of things to look forward to in the next month here at the DOH!

Talk to you guys soon!

Alvin Ailey Touches the Human Spirit Once Again

As I noted in previous posts, I went to go see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on Thursday and Sunday. Although both of those nights consisted of the same pieces, chills went down my spine and I could feel the rhythm and passion in my heart. The dancers were not only amazing in technique but also in the life they brought to the dance itself.

I took my little sister from Big Brothers/Big Sisters to the Sunday show. She had never seen a dance concert (or any kind of live theatrical concert) before, so Alvin Ailey was quite the experience for her. She said she liked the duets in Festa Barocca, along with the entire series of Revelations. On the way home, she couldn't stop talking about how much she wants to be a dancer just like the dancers in Alvin Ailey. After every piece I'd ask her things like, "Wasn't that beautiful!" and "Did you think that was completely gorgeous, or what?" Of course she just laughed, smiled, and agreed with me.

She and I were flipping through the publication of Bravo and she was so excited that Aladdin was coming in late February. (I told her I might be able to score some tickets- V.I.P. style) I let her know all there was to know about the Grand Rapids Ballet Company and how I saw their production of Peter Pan last year and I thought it was great.





Aladdin is being performed at the Detroit Opera House on February 28th at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The full-length production includes lavish costumes, scenery that transforms the stage into a Middle Eastern landscape, a full rangeof orchestral music, a Genie of the Lamp that grows, and of course, amazing choreography by Artistic Director Gordon Peirce Schmidt.

I'll let you all know if I'm going- Maybe if you do go and you find me- we can get a fabulous picture of ourselves up on here!

Also coming to the Detroit Opera House this month is Rent (and the readers gasp with excitement!). Rent will be performed February 17-22 and will star original cast member Anthony Rapp and Broadway cast member Cary Shields.

I don't think I really have to explain what this one is about. Come on- If you haven't heard of Rent yet, you've been living under a rock. But just in case you would like a reminder, BroadwayInDetroit.com says:
RENT is the classic musical about love, friendship and community, and the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history. Now, RENT is coming to Detroit in a new touring production starring original Broadway cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp!
Over the course of its groundbreaking 12-year New York run, RENT transformed the definition of musical theater -- and changed Broadway forever. Set in NYC's East Village, RENT is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.

The showings are:

Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, February 20 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.

For ticket information visit http://www.motopera.org/

See you all again soon!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater This Weekend!

Hello Again!
Wow- I feel like it's been forever! But this weekend we have the AMAZING Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater coming to the Detroit Opera House. I am super excited to go see them. The company is not only amazing because of the dancing they do, but also what they represent.

Alvin Ailey Jr. was born in 1931 and studied with great dancers in history like Lester Horton, Martha Graham and Charles Weidman. He started the company in 1958 and included a multicultural/multiracial cast of dancers. His style includes inspiration from jazz, modern and African dance elements. Revelations is considered his masterpiece and will be performed every night that they perform at the Detroit Opera House. Other pieces being performed include Festa Barocca, Treading, Blues Suite, Suite Otis, Go in Grace, and Anniversary Highlights.


Here is a clip from Blues Suite:

Alvin Ailey said, "Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people."

See you at the show! (I'll be at the shows in bold!!! Come see me!)

Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m.

http://www.motopera.org/

Alvin Ailey in the House! (The Detroit Opera House that is)

So, Alvin Ailey is coming to the Detroit Opera House from February 12 to the 15. The company is in its 50th anniversary year and has been pushing boundaries of modern dance in America by showcasing the power and importance of black cultural expression.
One of the most popular and performed dances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre is Revelations. Let me tell you: It is an experience! Here is an excerpt:


Isn't that beautiful?! I'm very excited about the show- as you should be too!

This past weekend, I went to the International Association for Blacks in Dance Conference (a.k.a. IABD) and I got to meet George Faison, who danced with Alvin Ailey in the 60's. He later went on to choreograph The Wiz, and concerts for Earth Wind and Fire along with Gladys Knight and the Pips. Here's a picture of Faison and I at IABD.

And another one of us laughing and joking around. We're best buds!

I'll be at the Thursday night showing if you want to come find me!

Dates and Times:
Thursday, Feb 12 at 7:30
Friday, Feb 13 at 7:30
Saturday, Feb 14 at 2:30 and 7:30 (Now that would be a cute V-Day Date!)
Sunday, Feb 15 at 2:30

Visit motopera.org for ticket information.

Talk to you guys soon!