Monthly Archives: June 2007

by

More dancing

Before you read- the links in the early part of this post don’t work anymore because the people at So You Think You Can Dance are stinkers. The links for and about Bob Fosse should work though.

Sorry if people are sick of all the links to dancing, but hey, it’s my blog, I can do what I want. And besides, I’m doing my part to spread culture. :)

This is quite simply one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. It’s a Mia Michaels piece (she’s amazing) from Tuesday’s So You Think You Can Dance, and it’s such an intense and powerful depiction of a broken, co-dependent relationship. I’ve quite literally watched it 20 times. 15 of those were in row this morning. I obviously have an addiction. I’m working on it.
And this number- the group opening from Weds. night, is the best Fosse homage I’ve ever seen. I know I use hyperbole a lot (who me?) but this time I really mean it. Wade Robson (LOVE HIM!) choreographed it, and he obviously really understands the principles behind Fosse’s style. Most people who try to do something Fosse-esque just skim the surface and take the shallow elements of the style, but Wade’s captured the spirit of Fosse while updating it.

Don’t know who Bob Fosse was? You’ve most definitely seen work inspired by his, he was incredibly influential. Beside being my favorite choreographer (which doesn’t tell you much, really), he choreographed for Broadway (Chicago, Sweet Charity, Cabaret) and movies (Damn Yankees, Kiss Me Kate) , and his signatures included tight syncopation, precise isolations, hunched shoulders and turned in feet. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, check this out. It’s in Japanese, but you don’t need to listen to it, just watch the dance bits. It’s a really good overview of his work and has some of his best numbers, including one from Damn Yankees that he wasn’t supposed to be in, but the guy who was didn’t show up for filming, so he stepped in and did it himself. And I am SO grateful he did, his performance is amazing. It’s the one with him and a partner, Gwen Verdon, his wife, in yellow frilly outfits.

If that’s not enough for you, or you don’t feel like watching little pieces of things, watch these: from Sweet Charity, and Cabaret .

And because the man himself was such a joy to watch:

from Kiss Me Kate (He’s the one in the red and white, and choreographed his own little solo. Compare him to the other guys dancing, he just moves so differently, even back then. There’s another segment where he dances with a partner, but I can’t find it.)

Ok, culture lesson over for the day. :)

by

Oh, it is to laugh

This is one of the things that makes me incredibly happy in my life. (I’m referring to the video as the thing, not the little boy, although he also makes me incredibly happy.) I won’t post his name as I haven’t asked his parent’s permission, but Zoe’s going to marry him someday. (And yes, the video is super short, but so cute.)

PS, that’s a neoprene scuba diving hood he has on his head.

by

Thoughts while watching the Tonys

The moral of A Chorus Line is really sad.

Ethan Hawke is sitting and acting like a schlub, how was he ever married to Uma Thurman?

I had no idea Rupert Holmes wrote a musical. I enjoyed his novels, and a murder mystery musical? Does it get better?

Speaking of murder mystery musicals, you’d think the new tv show Viva Laughlin would really be right up my alley, but I expected the same of the British version (Blackpool) and it just didn’t do anything for me. We’ll have to see if this one works out any better. Unfortunately it looks like they’re doing the music the same way, and that’s part of what just didn’t click.
Eddie Izzard is adorable.

Raul Esparza is one of the most talented people alive. I’d love to see him play Sweeney Todd. (Although Johnny Depp will be amazing.)
I can’t wait for Hairspray the movie! (Well, the second movie.)

Bernadette Peters has one of the most entertaining speaking voices ever. I would love to just hang out with her.
Usher is Ben Vereen’s godson?

And lastly, the same thing I think every Tonys, I really really miss performing. It used to be all I could see in my future, and while I know it’s not the direction I was supposed to go, there’s still a hole where that dream used to be.

I know, way to bring down the post. So click here to laugh and be happy once more. (What makes them even better is that all of the pictures were taken in the span of about 60 seconds.) Or click here to see proof that Miss Zoe really is my daughter.

by

GOLDMINE!

The links in this post don’t work anymore because the people at So you Think You Can Dance are party poopers. Just come out with a DVD already, people!!

I’m putting this here so that I don’t lose it, but you really should check it out. It’s the zombie party dance from last season’s So You Think You Can Dance; what I hesitatingly call the best dance of the season. (There were some incredible pieces, but this is in the top 3 at least.) Honestly, I could just watch it over and over. And I would, right now, if I didn’t know it would drive B crazy. The song is awesome, and the choreography by Wade Robson is just stunning. Here’s the extended version with the top 20.
I also found, because this is apparently my lucky day, the sunflower dance, which is also in the top 3, for it’s gorgeous, heartbreakingness.

Those two are fantastic, but this one, this one is really my favorite (I realized as I watched it again just now). It’s Allison and Ivan doing Tyce DiOrio’s choreography to Annie Lennox’s Why, and it kills me every time. Such control, such chemistry- gah, I love it. (Skip to 1:43 to get right to the beginning of the dance.)

And for my sister, Ivan and Allison doing hip hop with umbrellas. (Skip to :40) and… Nick and Melody’s paso from season 1! And Heidi and Travis’ paso from season 2!(skip to 1:30)

Also for my sister- Travis in a Dr. Pepper commercial when he was little. Yes, really.

And for me? Nick’s final dance from Season 1. The control he has coming out of the spins of death make my heart stop every time. It’s a crappy copy, but anything is better than nothing!