Students strut their stuff
by Christopher Key

Whatcom Community College always seems to be seething with young talent ready to take on the world. The Second Annual Student Showcase, playing March 3 – 6 at the Syre Student Center Black Box Theatre, is a sort of post-modern Chautauqua that offers something for everyone.

The festivities start with I Am Not Batman, a four-part piece written by Marco Ramerez and directed by Todd Gibbs, WCC’s answer to Tim Burton. Interwoven among the other acts, Ramerez’s script examines some of the subliminal aspects of the Dark Knight that the movies left out. Actors Rodney DeJager, Maddy Gold, Christina Canton and Katie Dec take us on a sometimes giddy and often touching exploration of the pop culture hero’s id.

Taking Shape is a modern dance and movement work choreographed by the imaginative Hannah Lindberg. Dancers Elsa Mansfield, Janell Murphy, Alyssa Hamilton, Michelle MacLean, Jake Martin, Jen Skaer, Glenn Clark, Danielle Comchoc, Danielly Boylen and Jeremy Larsen are both energetic and hypnotic. They weave an enchanting tapestry about the stage, freezing briefly into lovely tableaux.

Photo credit - Christopher Key

Hip-hop dance has evolved from individual showboating into a legitimate art form, as evidenced by the WCC Hip-Hop Club. Exuberant and frequently witty, dancers Jake Martin, Felix Li, Kyuha Lee, Elaine Cheung, Makaila MacLean, Stan Hui, Mary Thai, Taka Namiki and Ariel Smith lead us on a merry chase through the urban jungle.

Anger management, or the lack thereof, is the theme of Untitled Play. Directed by Brooke Minkler and Colleen Ames, this a brief vignette in which Danielle Comchoc and Selina Flannery play roommates who know how to take the fun out of dysfunctional.

Tim Greger shows off some impressive writing and directing chops with a delightful confection called Further Ado. It boldly goes where Noises Off has never gone before. I won’t spoil the fun for you by getting too specific. Two of my fave WCC actors, Emily Lester and Trevor Van Houten, own the stage as usual, but Nick Twietmeyer, Stephane Potter and Alice Despopoulos give them a serious run for their money.

The whole shebang runs about an hour and you’ll wish it went on much longer. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved by calling (360) 383-3852.

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Northwest Ballet production soars
by Christopher Key

My companion at The Nutcracker this evening asked me how I review a performance like this, assuming that I have some knowledge of ballet. I don’t and I admitted it to her and to you. That’s why I end up talking about the backdrops and the costumes a lot. But I will make some small claim to theatrical wisdom. Ballet is just musical theatre without speaking parts, so I can usually fake my way through a review.

Frankly, Northwest Ballet deserves better. However, since I seem to be the only one writing reviews regularly, they have to settle for me and I do what I can. One of the things I have learned since starting to review ballet is that no two productions are alike. Don’t assume that because you’ve seen The Nutcracker before, you don’t need to see it again. This Northwest Ballet production is a fresh experience every year and we could all profit from a bit of fantasy at this time of year.

Artistic Director John Bishop told me that the opening backdrop is new this year and it sets the mood perfectly, portraying winter in an old English town as the dancers swirl in the snow. Bishop got to step into the spotlight this evening as The Cossack and his obvious joy in performing is thoroughly infectious.

The costumes are spectacular, as always. Beth Sanchez and Holly Bennett have obviously spent countless hours on this project and it shows. There. I’ve talked about the backdrops and costumes and have exhausted my ballet expertise. Now, let’s move on to the performers.

Guest artist for this production is Mahomi Endoh, a dancer with the Alberta Ballet. She began her training at age five with the Mami Ballet in Kyoto, Japan, and joined the Alberta School of Ballet in 2006. She is totally enchanting and obviously has a stellar future ahead of her. The only photo of her that I could access on very short notice comes from her Facebook page and conveys her charm the way no professional photo could. I hope she doesn’t mind that I stole it.

Playing the title role is Meridian High School senior Seth Weatherby. I have now seen him in several productions and am blown away by his athleticism and stage presence. His talent is prodigious, evidenced by his ability to pair with a professional like Endoh and look completely at home. This young dancer began training with Bishop in 2005, but he comes off as a seasoned veteran. Bravo!

There are far too many people in the cast to mention in this space, but they are all amazingly talented and deserve full houses at every performance. Theatrical Renaissance Man Angus McLane repeats his role as Herr Drosselmeyer and is always a treat to watch. The young dancers are especially enchanting and lend credence to the old W. C. Fields saw about never sharing the stage with a child. They steal the show every time.

I never cease to be amazed by the level of talent we are blessed with in this fourth corner of the nation and Northwest Ballet is one of the main reasons.

The Nutcracker performs Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at the Mount Baker Theatre with a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.. Call (360) 734-6080 for tickets or go to www.mountbakertheatre.com. Your holiday season won’t be complete without it.

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Aladdin rubs the right lamp
by Christopher Key

There are probably a lot of jocks out there who would sneer at the idea of ballet being an athletic event. There are probably an equal number of ballet dancers who could seriously kick their butts and do it with grace and artistry. If there are any doubts in your mind, go see Northwest Ballet’s production of Aladdin, playing this weekend at McIntyre Hall in Mt. Vernon.

If there is anyone out there unfamiliar with the tale from One Thousand and One Nights (aka Arabian Nights), go look it up on Wikipedia. I’d rather devote the space to singing the praises of Northwest Ballet and the extraordinary cast of dancers they bring to the stage.

As a director of musicals, I have a passing familiarity with choreography. Meaning I recruit a choreographer to deal with that because my familiarity with the art is passing, indeed. I have, however, witnessed how many hours it takes to choreograph a two-minute number. The work involved in choreographing a major ballet like Aladdin is mind-boggling. Northwest Ballet Artistic Director John Bishop seems to be able to toss it off as easily as I mix metaphors. I hope he’s as in awe of my skills as I am of his.

Aladdin is all about magic, so it makes sense that Bishop recruited the multi-talented Sterling Dietz to play the evil Genie of the Ring. I’ve sung Sterling’s praises before (www.ennw.info/news/2009/01/18/a-sterling-performance/) and this production only adds to his luster. He also supervised the spectacular special effects that will leave you gasping.

The sheer number of dancers involved in this production is astounding and I obviously can’t mention them all here. Suffice it to say that they are all incredibly talented and poised beyond their years. Especially the little girls who reminded me of why it’s unwise to share the stage with a child. They captivate the audience every time they are on and almost make you forget that the adult dancers are supremely talented.

Words fail me when I try to describe how enchanting Miye Bishop is, not just in this role, but in every production I have seen. She truly owns the role of Jasmine with her ethereal beauty. Seth Weatherby plays the title role with enormous energy and admirable athleticism. He is small in stature, but lifts, tosses, and carries Bishop around with seeming ease.

Ballet has often been unfairly depicted as an esoteric art form that appeals only to elitists. Please don’t subscribe to that calumny. If you can’t appreciate ballet for its artistry, you can certainly appreciate it for its sheer athleticism. And, of course, it is supremely sensual. What’s not to like?

Aladdin performs at McIntyre Hall in Mt. Vernon on May 16 and 17. Tickets are $15 to $25, with discounts available to seniors, students and groups. Call 360-416-7727, ext. 2. For more information, see www.mcintyrehall.org or www.northwestballet.org.

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Dancers are sterling
by Christopher Key

When I wrote about the astounding young magician Sterling Dietz last week, I mentioned in passing that his show included a troupe of dancers. I saw the show again tonight and wanted to give the dancers their own moment in the bloglight.

Dance instructor Elliott Scott not only choreographed the dance moves performed by Sterling and his assistant Jessica Gassman, he put together a dance company that adds to the magic of local performances.

Scott and his company, Gayle Staker, Steven Hererra and Hannah Niemier open the show with an energetic number that features some mind-boggling break dance moves. It’s a great way to prepare the audience for the mind-boggling magic that is to come.

But they do more than just dance. They are also an integral part of an illusion later in the show that features some elegant ballroom dancing. The choreography is seamlessly woven into the show and adds to the impression that this production just blew in from Vegas.

Scott began dancing 11 years ago in middle school and took hip-hop lessons from Gayle Staker. What goes around comes around. Later, Scott was a member of Nonstop Breakers of Bellingham Washington. That association with other gifted dancers inspired him to make it his career by teaching break dancing and hip-hop.

Teaching led him into Ballroom and Latin dance. He has since acquired four professional certifications in Ballroom in addition to being a competitor and performer. He now teaches individuals and groups throughout the Puget Sound area.

The immense popularity of Dancing with the Stars had led to a huge demand for instruction in this field. If you’re ready to get out on the floor and do something besides sway back and forth a lot, Scott can be reached at (360) 739-1296 or ElliottTheDancer@gmail.com.

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