Pippin Captivates! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Borris York, Sasha Allen, and Mathew deGuzman star in
Pippin’ at the Pantages Theatre (Photo: Terry Shapiro)

Swan Lake! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Swan Lake at The Music Center

Swan Lake!

By Ken Werther

I think it’s safe to say that Swan Lake is one of the most beloved ballets of all time. It is certainly my favorite, and I am counting the hours until The Australian Ballet arrives at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with its new production! Tchaikovsky’s immortal score will be performed by a live orchestra as Australia’s national ballet company presents Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, a new version that I’m told captures the passion, romance, and magic of the classic ballet in a way that’s both refreshingly original and reverently classical.

Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet is recognized as one of the world’s major international ballet companies. In 1966, Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and The Australian Ballet danced Swan Lake on the stage of the brand new Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Now, this legendary dance company returns to present its critically acclaimed re-imagining of this pillar of the classical repertoire…in celebration of The Music Center’s 50th anniversary!

Composed by Tchaikovsky in 1876, Swan Lake was first performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877. There are currently more than 20 versions available on video (ranging from 1966 to 2009) and countless recordings of the score from which to choose. I am the proud owner of at least five of those! This great opportunity to experience this rare and wonderful dance event in Los Angeles is brought to us by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. All hail Ms. Kaufman!

Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake plays at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 N. Grand Ave, October 9-12.

Broadway STARS! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Jennifer Holliday performs at the John Anson Ford Theatre

Broadway STARS!

By KEN WERTHER
Photo Courtesy of Chris Isaacson Presents

The lights of Broadway will be shining brightly at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood on Saturday, August 16 as legendary Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday headlines, and she will be joined by Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys), Rogelio Douglas, Jr., (In the Heights), Danny Gurwin (Little Women), and Chad Kimball (Tony Award nominee for Memphis). And if all of that isn’t enough, yet another Tony Award nominee (also for Dreamgirls), Obba Babatundé, has been set as host for Broadway Under the Stars 2014!

Jennifer Holliday possesses one of Broadway’s greatest voices. Her immeasurable range and artistry have long stood in a class by themselves. She won her Tony Award in 1982 for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her history-making portrayal of Effie Melody White in Dreamgirls. I remember seeing the show during its pre-Broadway tryout in Boston in 1981 and being left speechless. And I’ve always gotten a kick out of the fact that Dreamgirls opened on Broadway on my birthday (December 20) in 1981.

Broadway Under the Stars will feature songs from some of the most beloved musicals of our time, including Cabaret, Jersey Boys, Pippin, The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Les Misérables, and Wicked, along with new favorites from the 2013-14 season, including Aladdin, Rocky, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Who says you have to be in New York to experience the thrill of Broadway?

Broadway Under the Stars takes place Saturday, August 16 at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd East.