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Boom Kat Dance Theatre's NeverWonderLand:
"WOW!
NeverWonderLand!
Imagine a world in which Peter Pan and Alice are brother and sister, he off to his Neverland, she into her Wonderland, the entire tale imagined in dance—and you have some idea of Boom Kat Dance Theatre’s NeverWonderLand, a production which combines aspects of modern, jazz, ballet, and dance club movements, its dances emerging organically from the music being played and the story being told. There’s not a weak link in NeverWonderLand’s cast, from Lili Fuller’s enchanting Alice to Joe Sofranko’s gracefully masculine Peter to the precision polish of the entire ensemble. As gorgeous as are Boom Kat Dance Theatre’s dance movements, they are only part of the magic of NeverWonderLand, which also includes Fuller’s exquisitely imaginative fairy tale costume designs made even more stunning by Mason Barber’s dramatic, multi-colored lighting. Fuller’s Director’s Note describes NeverWonderLand as a “beautiful, fun, and dark story of two siblings, desperate to find their place in the world, lost between fantasy and reality.” It’s also a very special evening of theater." Steven Stanley
"What audiences said about Boom Kat's NeverWonderLand:
• “This is a must see! Unique and inspiring. Original choreography danced with high energy and great design, lighting, costuming and score. So glad I went, definitely a big bang for a small buck.”
• “The performance was nothing short of spectacular. The energy displayed was incredible.”
• “My boyfriend and I loved this creative, captivating performance. The show absolutely delighted with wonderful music, brilliant choreography, smart staging and scenery and gorgeous costumes. Every number was a wow.”
• “The cast was spectacular and the production makes great use of their limited space and resources. Highly recommended.”
• “ORIGINAL, CREATIVE, WONDERFUL.”
• “Quality production not typically seen. Everything from the dancers, choreography, sound, set, lights and music (a blending of sound bits from various sources) was exceptional. Not to be missed. Fun, clever, and thought provoking. Totally recommend seeing.”
• “LOVED IT!! It was Amazing! Never seen anything like it... I regret not taking my mom, she would have Loved it! Highly recommended...”
• “I've never been to such a unique dance production in my entire life! I was mesmerized the whole time not only by the dancing, but by the music and costuming. When intermission came, I didn't want to get up - just wanted them to keep going to see what would happen next! Very impressive, talented cast and so inspiring to anyone who appreciates art and creativity. I'm tempted to go and see it again...”
• “So much talent in one room.”
• “I found myself smiling throughout this performance.”
• “The dances are so beautiful, and the dancers are so into their characters! Everybody fit their roles perfectly…even when it didn't fit the image in my head, by the end of the production, I was sold on their vision… It's not a light fluffy story -- there's desperation, fear, bewilderment, longing…it has depth… Frankly I loved the show and I would love to see it again.”
• “I went with my family to see this and we had so much fun.”
• “Unbelievable creativity and phenomenal dancing… A special treat that should not be missed!”
• “I am definitely now a fan.”
• “Thoroughly engaging twisted tale of Alice and Peter Pan. Well thought out and executed. Bravo!”
• “Saw this incredible and imaginative production yesterday with my boyfriend for the second time in 2 weeks, it was that good. Would probably go see it again but it was their last performance. I can't wait to see Boom Kat Dance Theatre again and again and again wherever they may be performing, I hope that they make it to Broadway, they are the TOPS!!!!!!!!!!”
• “Wonderful, original production.”
• “This show is absolutely BRILLIANT! I was amazed at the talent and beautiful storytelling. It is truly one of the best shows I have ever seen.”
• “The choreography is fantastic and the story grabs you and takes you into another beautiful world. I'm really looking forward to whatever this dance company has in store next.”
• “Incredible production! Heartwarming and heart wrenching.”
• “This was a great surprise! What an inventive melding and interpretation of two classic stories. The choreography was powerful and exciting and the cast a dream team to watch. Can't wait to see more from Boom Kat Dance Theatre.”
• “This show was magical! So creative and interesting. Minimal sets and props, but they really helped tell the story… Thank you, Boom Kat, for sharing this piece of whimsy. I'm so glad I took my girls (teens) on this magical journey!”
• “The show is sensational.”
• “The fusion of theater and dance is incredible.”
• “I have gone to numerous, numerous, numerous musicals, plays in my lifetime (long life), never seen anything so creative, professional, entertaining in my life!”
• “I learned from this show that a story can be told effectively with little or no words.”
• “Creativity and imagination at its finest.”
• “It was great! Don’t change a thing! Brilliant!”
• “Continue with what you are doing. Brilliant!!”
• “Probably the most entertaining performance I've ever seen.”
"
What audiences said about Boom Kat Dance Theatre's adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book:
"Boom Kat is amazing! Boom Kat's style is unique, and a great way to tell a story! More than a dance show - a great experience!"
"Dance. Passion. Amazing performance. I really enjoyed your work of art. Great choreography."
"Your show was incredible. It was my first time attending and I loved it. If you ever do another play make sure you invite us because I will attend."
"Great dancing and poetic acting."
"I learned the impact of performance without speech."
"Passion makes great things happen."
"We learned how much we love how dance tells a story. What a vibrant ensemble!"
"Best thing I have seen in years. Take it to Broadway. Matthew Bourne stand back. Wonderful."
ETC's Starmites:
"It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun in the theatre. Just the thought of letting “it all go”, sit back, and be entertained. I came with no preconceived idea of the show or what it was all about and I have to say its has been awhile since I’ve been totally surprised seeing something this enjoyable.
Starmites, An Intergalactic Musical, was a dramatic revelation of a show from start to finish. The musical was completely polished and wonderful from beginning to end. The audience loved it, the songs were delightful, the voices were strong, and the characters were amazing. And there were puppets galore!
This is a show to bring all kids ages 6 to 66. And it’s all here presented by the Ensemble Theatre Company (etc) in Santa Monica at the Miles Memorial Playhouse through May 9th 2010.
Brilliantly directed and choreographed by Steve Edlund and produced by Parmer Fuller & Narcissa Vanderlip.
This story takes us to a land, not very far from here. Lonely Eleanor (Natalie Storrs) sits on the floor in her room reading her comic book Starmites and wishing she were a superhero girl. Unbeknownst to her, she awakens a powerful force in the universe, Shak Graa (Matthew McFarland). (That’s what you get for hard wishful thinking.)
The darker side, her mother (Jen Reiter) barges into the room and wants the comic books out of the house! (You would think that some moms just get it, but no.) She thinks Eleanor’s fantasy life is taking her on a path toward lonely desperation. Little does she realize that her sweet cuddly daughter has a power awakening in her being and those powers are unfolding dramatic events in the universe.
Namely, the Starmites lead by Space Punk (Donald Webber, Jr.), Herbie Harrison (Michael Joyce), Ack Ack Ackerman (Thomas Krottinger), and Dazzle Razzledorf (Jonah Priour) zip to earth and discover Eleanor has the power to save them and the universe. They whisk her away to another galaxies to find “The Cruelty”, a powerful musical instrument before it falls into the hands of Shak Graa.
And in inner space there is a wonderful number “Afraid of the Dark” which takes Eleanor and the Starmites on an unforgettable journey. This number, very imaginative, seems to propel the entire musical into intergalactic space.
But, in the confusion and in the dark the Starmites are run off by the attack of The Banshees, a quartet of hungry man-eating puppets. Maligna (Marisa Esposito), Shotzi (Riana Nelson), Canibelle (Jessica Perlman), and Balbraka (Raquel Sandler), all with incredible voices and voracious appetites for men. They are lead by Diva (also Jen Reiter) in a great hip swinging number It’s hard to be a Diva!
Diva has a daughter Bizarbara (also Natalie Storrs) and as all mothers do, wants her married and out of the house! She has plans of getting her married to Space Punk. (I suppose if you were desperate you would give your daughter to a guy with the name Space Punk, seriously.)
But Space Punk is not so bad and besides he’s off somewhere falling in love with Eleanor as each professes their love in a wonderful number Love Duet.
Neverthless, all is not happy in Loveville. The Diva and the Banshees capture Space Punk. The Diva uses her intergalactic force to pawn off her daughter to Space Punk. Space Punk agrees then changes his mind and I’ll say no more.
Everyone gets his or her chance to showcase his or her vocal prowess and each succeeds magnificently. Webber as Space Punk was magnificent as was Storrs. The Banshees were a powerful team and each has a moment in the sun (castle) Esposito, Nelson, Perlman and Sandler all gave outstanding performances.
Reiter as Diva was remarkable. Her Diva hips sashaying her around the stage using her Diva hair and Diva lips for punk-u-ation all in the matter of controlling the universe and her daughter.
The Starmites Joyce, Krottinger, Priour each had their moments on stage and aside from all the chest banging in the first number showed a piazza during the course of the show. McFarland is quite funny as Shak Graa.
Musical Director Michael Alfera did a tremendous job as well as his band mates Chris Myers and Chris Payne, and they also had a lot of talent to play along with.
Jessica Dalva created the wonderful puppets on stage www.jessicadalva.com - an amazing artist in her own right.
Lili Fuller, costumer Designer, has everyone in intergalactic costumes. The space stockings were quite nice; the jump suits a little less not nice. www.boomkatdance.org
Edlund, the director, has done a wonderful job. The set makes it almost impossible to see they are in the various places in the program with the exception of the bedroom; innerspace, Shriekwood Forest, Great Hall of Castle Nemesis, Castle Mortuary and the Chamber of Psychosorcery, but this is only a small quibble. And why quibble?
This show had a long history of getting to Broadway but it did in 1989, and was nominated on 6 Tony awards.
My six year old said she could not get the musical out of her head the next morning. A true testament to a great show!
Live longer, think clearer, go see this show and have some intergalactic ridiculous fun!
" Joe Straw
Reviews for ETC's new musical Mirabel:
THEATER BEAT
Critics' Picks - Stage
Boarding school, the musical
" 'Glorious health, rigorous discipline and the best education in the world.' So runs the motto of Mirabel, presented by Ensemble Theatre Company at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. Provisionally speaking, Parmer Fuller and Narcissa Vanderlip's ambitious musical about the Swiss boarding school of their youth provides a showcase for some vivid young talents. The Maury Yeston-flavored title number introduces staff, students and parents at the start of an extremely eventful 1956, pocket histories and internecine relationships converging 'in the great tradition of our hero, William Tell.' The sprawling plot essentially follows headmaster's widow Anne-Marie Bovay (Catherine Farrington), who aims to balance discipline with compassion while keeping the school open, and movie star's daughter Serena Shaw (Lili Fuller), who embodies separation anxiety and peer identification. Director-choreographer Larry Sousa stages this labor of love with typical flair, designing an inventive white-on-white set and some beautiful projections. Viva Weber and Jessica Wheeler are funny as, respectively, upper- and lower-form teachers. Gabriel Oliva infuses various cameos with aplomb. The 10 young actors who play the students are charming, with Brian Jordan Alvarez a find as rebellious Nick. Songwriter Fuller achieves fizz in songs like 'The Mirabel Routine,' Weber and Wheeler's cat-fighting 'A Tale of Two Sillies' and the rap-tempo 'Happy Birthday Yodel'. Chalet Mirabel gets an A for effort, a promising workshop more than a finished property."
-- David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times
"This show comes alive due to the imagination of the talented ensemble that is ETC...An interesting musical with big possibilities."
-- Los Angeles Times Reader Reviews
"...Some fine voices in the cast under Larry Sousa's energetic direction and choreography, highlighted by the very talented Lili Fuller and Brian Jordan Alvarez as youthful versions of the writers."
-- LA Weekly
"Lili Fuller sings beautifully."
-- Backstage West
Other great reviews from recent years:
"Our children were enchanted by your wonderful troupe of performers... I must say I was taken aback
at how talented everyone is. In fact, they were unexpectedly exceptional. In addition, they were kind,
sensitive young people who made all of our children feel tremendously special... You have given our children
(and staff!) an experience they will never forget!"
-- Barbara Barnes, Manager of the Volunteer Program at Children's Institute International
"Larry Sousa's staging was very innovative, and the kids did a wonderful job with the songs... It's great that
Parmer and Cissa provide this opportunity for the kids to work with professionals and to perform."
-- Els Collins, Production Manager, University of Southern California School of Theatre
"I was greatly impressed with the quality of the performance and the production as a whole, and the direction
the young cast had received in particular. Finding rich and rewarding opportunities in which talented young
people can participate is always a challenge in any community, and Los Angeles is no exception... Our young people
of Los Angeles need organizations like ETC, and we are fortunate that the directors of the program offer their
valuable services and experience to our community."
-- Carol Tingle Voice Studio, Santa Monica
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Ensemble Theatre Company, 2009
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