Author: jason

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CreateNYC

97% of the New Yorkers polled say that arts and culture is important to them.

New York City is developing its first-ever comprehensive cultural plan. CreateNYC is the roadmap on how the city will shape the future of arts and culture. The CreateNYC commission has already held 400+ events and engaged with 188,000 people. It’s soliciting additional public comments, before the plan is finalized in July.

New Yorkers — What does arts and culture mean to you? How does arts and culture impact you? What do you want to see in your city?

Dancers and Choreographers — What issues do you face? As dancers, we are often trained to work hard and persevere. We move through soreness and pain, and never complain. However, speak up about CreateNYC!!! This is our chance to ask for support. Let the city know what you need to create, to perform, to live here, to be paid fairly, and to stay healthy. Let’s ensure New York City, the dance capital of the world, remains an amazing place for dancers for years to come.

Review the current plan.

Take the polls.

Show up at an upcoming event.

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Hello, Dolly!

“Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around, encouraging young things to grow.” – Dolly Levi

Love, laughter, and happy endings with Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly!

Bette Midler is absolutely stunning. At 71, she is singing, dancing, and owning the show. Drawing the audience in from the very first moment, making us laugh, keeping us in suspense, and filling us with excitement. Even with a wardrobe malfunction (what could possibly go wrong with those ginormous fabulous hats, right?) and a couple missed cues, she just laughed at herself in the most humble yet delightful manner. We couldn’t help but laugh with her. The story goes on, and everything happens naturally. It’s live theatre at its best.

The big stage at the Shubert Theater is also perfect for the massive dance pieces: the Fourteenth Street Association Parade, at the Harmonia Gardens, and the Finale. Love the dancers and their energy. Shoutout to the Harmonia Gardens waiters especially those who leaped across the orchestra pit (OMG!!!), the wonderful polka contestants, and Dolly with the tap dancing girls.

As Bette tap danced, in her fun charming way, she lifted her skirt to show her feet, pointed to the other tap dancers, and remarked: “Why aren’t I making as much sound???” That she’s dancing at 71 is amazing. That she’s bringing more to the dance is just impressive. The show was filled with such unexpected but hilarious moments. I felt I didn’t just watch Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! but I experienced the pinnacle of live theatre, right there on stage with Bette Midler.

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Dear Evan Hansen

Gorgeous voice tonight at “Dear Evan Hansen”

With the band positioned above the stage and a cast of fantastic singers, the show felt more like a rock concert. We were treated to a night full of wonderful music. Ben Platt’s voice was stunning, but every member of the cast delivered a strong performance as well.

As someone who is often too sentimental and cries at waaaaaay too many musicals/plays/dances, however, I felt disconnected from the story.

I appreciate the show bringing attention to important issues such as suicide and income inequality, but the plot felt superficial and not realistic. I could not relate to the characters. In fact, the stubbornness of the characters felt frustrating, despite the great singing and occasional humors.

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Iphigenia in Splott

A furious night with “Iphigenia in Splott”

Trying something different this evening with a one-person play, coming to New York from Wales after winning the UK Theatre Award.

Sophie Melville was incredible tonight as Effie, a fierce young woman whose life was falling apart from alcohol abuse to unsatisfying relationships, but who nevertheless stood her ground even when the society casted her out as the “stupid slag” and “nasty skank” to avoid crossing on the streets. Over the course of 7 to 8 months, we were brought deep into Effie’s psychic. We understood her desire to care, and felt her will of never wanting to be alone again. Just when we thought life was about to change for Effie, everything came crashing down on one snowy day.

Here’s the real head fake in this play…

We felt sorry for Effie. However, the chain of events also exposed in real human terms, whom we sacrifice in our society when money is tight. What are our goals as a nation? To maximize business growth and corporate profits? Or, do we not have a greater purpose and other responsibilities to our own community? At the end, we felt even sadder and sorrier, for losing sight of the bigger picture.

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Hamilton

One of my favorite shows, and one that continues to amaze me.

Even though I know the narrative (third visit and soundtrack on repeat), my emotions were still sent through a roller coaster ride with the characters. Javier Muñoz is incredible as Hamilton. Thayne Jasperson is fantastic and having waaaay too much fun as King George. Love Gregory Treco as George Washington and Syndee Winters for bringing us inside of Angelica. Among the ensemble, wonderful job Kim Taylor!

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Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase

A big thanks to everyone who came out to see the Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase and my first time performing in New York City! We had so much fun on stage. Hope you did too!!

Thanks also to slazz mama Heather Rigg for all the support, encouragement, and for believing in me. 🙂 To all the slazzers for the fun times, sweaty rehearsals, and even more late nights at Ripley!

Wonderful to see all the fellow students give everything they have. Your passion and your energy are inspiring… and remind me why I live in New York City. Keep dancing. Keep living. Keep loving!!!

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All Four Walls

Come see the Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase today, May 21st at 4:30pm and 8:00pm!

Throwback to “All Four Walls” by the amazing @shishibarker from last year’s showcase. Are you in for some high-energy jazz fun???

“All Four Walls”
Choreographer: Sheila Barker
Performers: Students of Sheila Barker at Broadway Dance Center
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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It’s Britney, **tch!

Come see the Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase today, May 21st at 4:30pm and 8:00pm!

Throwback to “It’s Britney, **tch!” by Chio from last year’s showcase. They’ve got style. They’ve got attitude. They’ve got sick moves. You don’t want to miss Chio’s jazz funk this year!

“It’s Britney, **tch!”
Choreographer: Chio
Performers: Students of Chio at Broadway Dance Center
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Running State of Mind

Come see the Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase today, May 21st at 4:30pm and 8:00pm!

Throwback to “Running State of Mind” by the fabulous Stacie Webster from last year’s showcase. I lost count of the number of creative, emotional, touching choreographies created by Stacie. I’ve been told she’s got another amazing piece in store for all of you. Don’t miss it!!!

“Running State of Mind”
Choreographer: Stacie Webster
Performers: Students of Stacie Webster, ISVP, and Training Program at Broadway Dance Center
Photographer: Jason Chuang