Dancers soar to new heights in second Split: Dance In and Out of
L.A.
48 HOURS
Exuberant dancers will seem to fly above the stage in the Split:
Dance In and Out of L.A. performance beginning at 8 tonight at The
Alex Theatre in Glendale.
This installment of the quarterly dance series showcases Jean
Isaacs’ critically acclaimed San Diego Dance Theater and two local
companies, Tongue of Los Angeles and Brockus Project Dance Company of
Long Beach. Also on the program is Los Angeles-based choreographer
Lisa K. Lock.
“Tongue in particular defies gravity. They fly above the stage
with huge, soaring leaps and come back down into the ground,” said
Deborah Brockus, artistic director of Brockus Project.
“It’s almost like basic training -- dance style,” she said. “My
boyfriend likes it because it’s very athletic. It appeals to the
sports side of American culture.”
All three companies have their own style of modern dance, but
Brockus said their techniques have a similar base. The connection is
through the teaching philosophy of two schools.
Brockus first met Isaacs when she was a student at UC Irvine, and
she was influential in introducing Brockus to the style of modern
dance that Brockus’ company does today.
Brockus, Tongue artistic director Stephanie Gilliland and Lock
teach or have taught at the Idyllwild Arts Academy.
Lock’s dance works are short studies with a humorous look at
humans. Each piece is created with its own prop. One piece, done at a
ballet bar, pokes fun at dancers. Another segment is performed under
huge netting fabric and the dancer becomes a bird.
“She basically metamorphoses into different animals and different
humans,” Brockus said. “The audience is riveted watching this
transformation on stage.”
Issacs’ piece “A Geography of Risk,” compares the moving geography
of the West with the constantly changing relationships between
people.
Brockus’ company will bring “Phoenix” to the stage, a work which
was loosely inspired by the events of Sept. 11. It shows people
facing difficulties and working together in the aftermath to achieve
a cathartic release, she said.
Her company will also present “Finding Balance on Quaking Land,”
which deals with living and finding a sense of balance in Los
Angeles.
“It will show how we need to think differently than people living
in other cities to be successful,” she said.
This show is family friendly, she said, and it will be two hours,
including intermission.
The series is co-sponsored by the Brockus Project Dance Company
and The Alex Theatre. The next installments are May 10 and Aug. 30.
Tickets range from $15 to $35. Balcony seats for $10 are available for students. For reservations, call 243-2539. The Alex Theatre is at
216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ARTS SHOWCASE PART OF COURTYARD UNVEILING
Shakespeare At Play is joining forces with Media Dance Centre and
Renaissance Art to present a day of fine art, live theater and dance
today in Burbank.
The event marks the christening of the alley between the three
businesses as the Theatre Arts Courtyard. A sign will be displayed
naming the alley off Palm Avenue between Third Street and San
Fernando Boulevard, said Debbie Gates, executive director of
Shakespeare At Play.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 2 p.m. There will be
Renaissance dancing at 2:30 p.m., followed by the play “Romeo and
Juliet” performed by members of Shakespeare At Play at 3 p.m.; the
ballet “Romeo and Juliet” danced by members of the Media City Ballet
Company at 4 p.m.; and a children’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet”
by students of Shakespeare At Play at 4:30 p.m.
Also planned are sword-fight demonstrations, free art classes by
Renaissance Art’s Jim Shendel, whose studio opened Feb. 15, a silent
auction and refreshments.
SPECIAL MONDAY EVENT
VICTORY JOINS ‘LYSISTRATA’ PEACE CAMPAIGN
Students from the Gobetti/Ormeny Acting Studio are joining in the
worldwide reading campaign of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek anti-war
comedy “Lysistrata” at 7 p.m. Monday at The Victory Theatre Center in
Burbank.
This adaptation is by C.F. Balducci and it is directed by Victory
artistic co-director Maria Gobetti.
To date, 620 play readings are scheduled in 38 countries and in
all 50 United States to voice opposition to the war on Iraq. Proceeds
will go to charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the
Middle East.
The play tells the story of women from opposing states who unite
to end a war by refusing to have sex with their husbands until the
men agree to lay down their swords.
The reading at the Victory will feature 25 actors ranging from 18
to 70 enrolled in the acting classes and actors who have done plays
at The Victory.
“It is not an anti-war protest,” Gobetti said. “It’s a pro-peace
movement. It’s a peaceful way to say, let’s remember the children.”
The $10 donation will go to War Child, a fund for children all
over the world touched by war, she said.
The Victory is at 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. For
reservations, call 841-5421.
ON STAGE
‘A TWILIGHT ROMANCE’ CLOSES AT THE FALCON
The world premiere of Mayo Simon’s “A Twilight Romance” closes
this weekend at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
This new stage comedy stars Katherine Helmond and Robert Mandan.
Helmond won a Best Actress Golden Globe in 1981 for her portrayal of
Jessica Tate on the TV series “Soap.” Mandan played Helmond’s husband
Chester on the series that ran from 1977 to 1981.
They are reunited as a couple in this play that explores the
humorous dating dilemmas and rituals of two old lovebirds.
Directing is Jules Aaron, a recipient of 18 Drama-Logue Awards,
three Backstage West Garland awards and three Los Angeles Drama
Critic’s Circle Nominations for direction, winning the award for his
revival of “Equus.”
Final performances are at 8 tonight and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets
range from $25 to $37.50. The Falcon is at 4252 Riverside Drive, in
Burbank. For reservations, call 955-8101.
‘FUDDY MEERS’ PRODUCED BY COLONY
“Fuddy Meers,” the off-Broadway hit comedy that launched the
career of playwright David Lindsay- Abaire, is being produced by
Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
It tells the story of Claire, an amnesiac who awakens each morning
not knowing anything about who or where she is. She ends up being
kidnapped by one husband and pursued by another.
Directing is David Rose, who also directed “Bea[u]tiful in the
Extreme” and “Our Country’s Good,” which received six Ovation
nominations.
The production contains strong language and is recommended for
mature audiences.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7
p.m. Sundays through March 9. Tickets are $22 to $28 and can be
reserved by calling 558-7000. The Colony makes its home at the
Burbank Center Stage, 555 N. Third St. For reservations, call
558-7000.
MUSEUMS
BURBANK HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFERS EXHIBITS OF BURBANK
The Burbank Historical Society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum Complex
features exhibits of early Burbank. There are extensive collections
of vintage vehicles, costumes, dolls, cameras and special sections on
the history of Lockheed, Disney and Warner Bros. studios.
Hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free, but
donations are accepted. The complex is at 1015 W. Olive Ave.,
Burbank. Parking is available at George Izay Park lot off Clark
Avenue.
For more information, call 841-6333.
BURBANK MUSEUM DEDICATED TO AVIATION
Burbank Aviation Museum is dedicated to the memory of the men and
women who made aviation history in the San Fernando Valley.
Located at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Cemetery, artifacts are
displayed in the Portal of the Folded Wings-Shrine to Aviation, an
ornate domed building that is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Visitors can enter on Valhalla Boulevard behind
Fry’s Electronics, off Hollywood Way or use the main entrance at
10621 Victory Blvd.
The Portal building is accessible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for
viewing the cenotaphs and burial stones.
The aviation displays can be viewed from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
For more information, call 845-3300.
ATTRACTIONS
SKATING IS COOL FUN AT PICKWICK ARENA
Pickwick Ice Skating Arena, 1001 Riverside Drive in Burbank, has
public skating, figure skating and ice-hockey lessons. It is also
available for private parties. Public sessions are from 2:30 to 4:30
p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 8 to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays.
Admission is $6, $5 for 17 and younger, and $3 extra for skate
rentals. Call 846-0035.
EQUESTRIAN CENTER GREAT FOR HORSING AROUND
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank,
has horse events throughout the year, but also rents out the animals
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Horse rentals are $20 for one hour, $30
for 1 1/2 hours, and $35 for two hours, all with a $15 deposit, cash only. Private hourlong lessons are $35.
To horse around, call 840-8401, or for general information about
the center, call 840-9063.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please
call JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or
fax them to 241-1975.