RitzDolls

oops! been very busy on this show!

myron — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:51:32 +0000

Here is a great interpretation of the outcome I think.

Nuts!

A crafty mix of slick nightclub acts, sleazy cabaret, and surreal Fellini-esque shenanigans, Ballet of the Dolls’ Nutcracker: The Lost Act! probes the underside—and the funny side—of Holiday traditions. BOD’s director Myron Johnson can always be counted on to subvert a sacred cow like the ubiquitous Nutcracker ballet, but this time he’s teamed up with Le Cirque Rouge, a classic burlesque troupe, conspiring with LCR’s director Amy Buchanan to produce one heck of an over-the-top evening of song and dance.

The jazzy music is rendered by a game live combo (Eric Edwalds, John Etzell, Tom Lyseng and Robert Russell), interspersed with a taped collage of snippets from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and weirder, wilder contemporary stuff. There is plenty of torchy vocalizing by the lovely ladies of Le Cirque Rouge, complemented by the growly syncopations of singer Eight Ball Jones. Most of the music, however, is so over amplified that my seat was literally vibrating, and I had difficulty hearing the lyrics.

The program notes tell us that these are the “lost” acts of the famous Nutcracker ballet, discovered by the grandchildren of a Russian ballerina after her death in 2010. So, in this rendition, Act Three takes place after nubile Clara (Valerie Torres-Comvalius) wakes up with the broken Nutcracker toy cradled in her arms. She finds herself in a cityscape where bustling pedestrians in black sashay with Broadway honky-tonk verve.

They shimmy and shake, strut and preen, quickly morphing into Fellini grotesques straight out of 8 ½—ladies of the night with distorted, sequined anatomies, transvestites, and your run-of-the-mill urban weirdos. As a woman sings “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” three gigolettes pump and grind in boilerplate vamp moves. One number references “primitive” nightclub acts from Josephine Baker and 1930’s films (like the “Hot Voodoo” number in Blond Venus), complete with lurid flaming backdrops, steel drums, and fantastical “savages” costumed as animal hybrids.

Clara views all this with wide-eyed innocence, especially when a mob of
Sybarites strip her to her underwear. Never mind—pretty soon someone in a gold cape gives her a new dress, and she’s off to new adventures with Mr. Wonderful (Garron Haubner), a mysterious guy in a suit who seems more nice than naughty, and who quickly wins Clara’s heart.

Witty homages to the Nutcracker include Susie Snowflake, played by Queenie von Curves, and a bunch of white-turbaned snowflakes/icicles. In a deliciously silly ballet bouffe, they usher Clara from a cold and desolate Minnesota winter to the much hotter Land of Club Clara.

In Act Four, Club Clara materializes in all its seedy splendor, with Mr. Wonderful as the Emcee who introduces various acts, mostly striptease numbers, for Clara’s entertainment.

In this Land of the Politically Incorrect, Queenie is a wayward dreidel in a medley of Hanukkah songs, while Tomahawk Tassels bounces through a faux Native American dance in which she delicately demolishes a great big bunny rabbit. The “acts” go beyond gotta-have-a-gimmick burlesque to cleverly send up the ballet tradition of character dance variations that are performed in the Nutcracker and other 19th century classical ballets.

The original Arabian Variation, for instance, becomes a torrid Dance of the Seven Veils by Katrin “Miss Fanny May” Snider, while the stirring Russian Dance becomes a duet between two vodka soused, heavily sequined ladies. And in a nod to patriotic zeal, Ashley “Buttercup Flowers” Swenson delivers a stirring rendition of “God Bless America,” modestly draped in red, white and blue, before stripping down to a baroque bra and panties while a chorus line kicks up a storm to “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Eventually there are even fiery tassels twirling in the dark.

After Clara has been convinced to go Gypsy Rose Lee and dance a sweetly sexy duet with Mister Wonderful, she wakes up to realize it was all just a dream. And what an imagination that girl has! So has Johnson, who had the wisdom to see how perfect the pairing of Ballet of the Dolls and Le Cirque Rouge could be. Pairing this terrifically entertaining show with a glass of red wine or other cocktail (available in the Ritz Theater’s lobby) could be the perfect blue antidote to the Holiday blahs.

One week to go!

myron — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:06:17 +0000

This has been an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I sort of finished the dances…I have trouble remembering them, however. Was my memory always like this, or is this age setting in? The answer hardly matters actually. I will either remember or I will have to make something up on the spot. Sounds thrilling actually.

Today for rehearsal I started the CD and then cleaned the studio for 3 hours. I guess if I am going to be in there forgetting everything it might as well be clean. No memory in a tidy room is better than no memory and dust bunnies sticking to your sweatpants. That’s just plain depressing.

Grant got all of my costumes together on Tuesday. Of course I didn’t bother to try anything on. Much more exciting to be in performance and go for a quick change only to find out that the pants would have fit when I was 12. I have a feeling the phrase “make it work” will be heard in my head (maybe even out loud) many times these next few weeks.

Doesn’t this make you wanna come see the show? I hope so. Forgetting my steps and what comes next in a pair of pants that only go to my knees is much more dramatic when there are people in the audience. Hope to see you here. XO, Myron

P.S. Really cool fashion event here this coming Saturday. “Holiday Bazaar”. Grant Whittaker is putting together a fantastic show followed by shopping in the studio. Amazing stores and artists selling their work and designs in a great pre-holiday sale. Worth the trip in so many ways.

songs 4 a swan update

myron — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:04:58 +0000

Well, I finally got going! I have 15 out of 34 dances kind of figured out. Today I made up 3 more dances without ever getting up from my desk…I just imagined them. We’ll see how that works out.

It occured to me this morning that this is even more of an adventure than I originally thought it would be. The distractions keep coming and the procrastination is running in full bloom but I keep getting new reasons to be concerned and excited at the same time. What if no one comes? Wow, how fun this would be to do without an audience! Oh no, we need to make money on tickets! Well, if no one comes I could just dance and then go the lobby bar and pretend I had the best show and celebrate with myself! I am the worst agent for myself so I haven’t even tried to make sure my friends know i am even doing this…ok, send out an email. No! That seems so self promoting…!

I will tell you this however; the music is awesome! Something for everyone. Mozart, MC Solaar, Mary J.,Deano, Judy,Bowie, and Tyne Daly just to mention a very few.

Well, at the end of the day…I am going to do this show so I hope you will all consider coming? I think it’s gonna be cool. I do want to promote season tickets though! It’s such a bargain and no matter what I might think about my own talents I do know that it will be entertaining, thoughtful and committed….the entire season!

I humbly want to say this…”it would mean a lot to me if you come to the show. It just might be a “swan song”…we never know.

XO, Myron

songs for a swan

myron — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:36:58 +0000

I should be in the studio right now rehearsing for the show. Actually, for the last week I have gotten more stuff done that has nothing to do with the show. My procrastination ability far exceeds my artistic abilities. It’s so easy when you have people waiting in the studio for you but when it’s just me calling myself to get busy it is a different story. I guess this is one of the lessons I will learn from doing a solo show eh? I do have all the music possibilities picked out and I think I know what I want to say. I do know what I want to wear and what the stage will look like too. I have a lighting designer, a DJ and some friends to back me up but not one dance step as of yet. I was like this in school also. Wait until the day before and then “CRAM.” Looks like not much has changed. Something about all of this excites me tho.

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to go to the new Cowles Center for the Performing Arts. Beautiful!!!! Had a great pre-show dinner and cocktails and was lucky enough to sit at a table with John Cowles, his sister, cousin and Elizabeth Streb. Great conversation. The show was good and gave everyone a good idea of what to expect from that space. I thought Savion Glover was amazing…

Anyway, just thought I would take some time to write instead of choreograph. There will indeed be a show by the end of October so I really hope you come. XO, Myron

Here we go!

myron — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:15:34 +0000

There is so much happening right now that the thought of sitting down and writing is a bit overwhelming. Where to start? Well, The Cowles Center for the Performing Arts is about to open this coming weekend. I have met some of the people that are working tirelessly and I can only imagine how they are feeling these days. An enormous undertaking, a beautiful building and wonderful dancers and companies about to be seen on the glorious stage. They all deserve a great round of applause just for what they have accomplished so far. At first I was a bit nervous and even worried about what it would mean to The Ritz but, as time went on, I started to get that feeling of “the little engine that could” back in my spirit again. I certainly had it when we opened and now it’s great to have it back. I keep picturing The Ritz sitting next to the Cowles Center and it (The Ritz) feels just right. Just where I want to be…that’s always a good feeling isn’t it? Of course the challenges to keep things moving and keep people interested has increased because of this new venue for dance. Even that feels just right. When the going gets tough, the tough get going! So, here we go!

I started working on my solo show and it has been a wild ride already. I have about 200 pieces of music so far on the list. That of course has to be cut down at some point or those of you that come to the show will never get home again. The show that never ended. Hey, that’s kind of a cool idea. Everyone can just stop into The Ritz at any time between October 28th and eternity and stay for how ever long you want…I’ll just keep going. Well, that ain’t gonna happen so i better cut down on the list, eh? I hope you come to the show…I am excited.

I have already talked about the cool season we have planned so i won’t go into that again. However, Season Tickets just went on sale so…..need I say more?

Ballet of the Dolls- Goldilocks & Little Red Riding Hood

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:41:28 +0000

We opened!!!

myron — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:17:52 +0000

A tremendous reason to celebrate. Any time a group of people get together to try and create something new without fear of the failure which is possible anytime you do, is a real reason to rejoice. Especially when the topic is Salvidor Dali. Robert dove head first into his portrayal and Susana literally became Gala. Scary and wonderful to watch from my perspective. I am not sure that many people realize what it’s like to just “jump in” and see what happens. Seems like in these days that we are living, people want to have answers to as much as possible before they can take the leap of faith. Refreshing then that they both did this. As late as 2 hours before the first audience last night none of us knew if anything or any part of it would work. At the same time, I have never felt such a calm backstage before the show. No nervous energy. No panic. Just everyone getting ready for whatever was about to happen. It all worked! I am my hardest critic and I seriously loved the show. Even though I am on stage the whole time, I could feel the “happening”. Anyway, if you read this, I hope you come to see it. Only 3 shows now. I can tell that it is a rare performance by everyone involved. Until I write again…happy summer. Have a dinner party or something and then after, celebrate the fact that you even did it.

XO, Myron

Cooking up Dali

myron — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:22:38 +0000

An evening with Salvador and Gala.

We are in rehearsals for the new show. Researching and dealing with the mind of Salvador Dali can make one a bit loopy! It amazes me how much I understand him, sometimes frightens me too.

Robert and Susana are amazing. I am enjoying watching them discover these characters.

It’s based on the cookbook that Dali did titled “My dinners with Gala” and the two of them seem to really understand why Dali found food so fascinating and sensual. Dali is a complex character and lived a very complex life. We have decided to focus mainly on the love story between himself and Gala. He wrote about their first date:

“Never had I experienced such a feeling of power, possession, and grace. Out teeth bumped sharply against each other’s like shields, but these barriers only made our desires that much more ardent. I would have wanted to be able to dive into her, to lap her, eat her, tear her flesh. And I bit her lips violently until the taste of her blood filled my mouth and I was able to suckle on the fluid sweeter than honey. I was turning vampire, becoming ferocious, falling into a chasm of unheard-of-enjoyment.”

I hope you join us for this adventure. XO, Myron

This week!

myron — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:40:49 +0000

There is a lot going on here this week. I highly recommend seeing Zenons concert (closes this weekend) if you have not seen it. Amazing! The dancers blew me away and the choreography is intriguing and artistic. Hard tickets to get so get em fast. Besides that, in the studio, Off-Leash Area has turned the room into a full blown mini-theatre. Really cool. I watched part of their rehearsal and I cannot wait to see the work. You will be very happy you ventured out into the cold to see this one. We are in the beginning stages of the next piece I am doing. Collaborating with Susana (Zorongo Flamenco) on a piece called “daliesque”. We are only doing a few performances the end of June so call soon. Other than all of that, pretty quiet around here

In the know!

myron — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:38:30 +0000

We just finished “Fashion Ball” and it was so much fun and a tremendous success, thanks to so many people. If you were here “wasn’t it fun?” if you were not here “so sorry you missed out”. Minneapolis has not been so fashion forward since the Golden (Purple) days of the 90′s.

So now, here are some ideas for next years season. Nothing set in stone but getting close. I figured if anyone reads my blog then they should be the first to hear about it…..even if it changes, it will be something like this:

October 21^st – November 6th

SONGS for a SWAN (with Darin Walker)

An evening of intimate thoughts, memories, hopes and observations.

Just Myron and a DJ!

December 2^nd – 31^st

NUTCRACKER – THE LOST ACT! (With Amy Buchanan & Le Cirque Rouge)

“Marie runs away and gets hit by a car. The “Land Of Sweets” has never been so bizarre” A NEW holiday show!

Give yourself the gift of kitsch and high-spirited laughter this holiday season as the Dolls join forces with Le Cirque Rouge.

February 27^th – March 11^th

GOLDILOCKS AND LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

This charming show was first produced last season for young audiences and was so successful that we are bringing it back.

May 1st-5th

FAITH – with The Target World Music and Dance Series at the Ordway

A world premier of a new work that explores the topic of spirituality and the many diverse religious beliefs that divides us. Might there be a time in our life where the mystery of faith joins us together?

June (exact dates still pending)

MEMPHIS BLUES – with Cyndi Lauper

If you have any thoughts please speak your mind now. I would appreciate it. XO, Myron