AL LA FOSSE
A La Fosse is a collage of short dances choreographed by the dancers of Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre. This work is inspired and pays tribute to the choreography of Bob Fosse. It shows the range of the company members' abilities in jazz and musical theatre genre. Many of the dancers studied with Amanda Turner, Ann Reinking and Chet Walker of the Fosse tradition. It is a dance both provocative and entertaining.
ALMOST A WALTZ
Almost a Waltz is carefree with a splash of shades of pink and gray with a playful quality of intricate footwork. It is based on the delicate sounds of gypsy jazz artist, Raul Reynoso.
Body of Water is a two-part dance theatre work that was in development for two years. It began with a study of water and its many states evolving into an expression of the abstract qualities of water, a kind of landscape in water. It explores the tranquility as well as the destructive nature of water conjuring images of drowning, hurricanes, and shipwrecks. Collaborating on this project were composers, Shane Cadman & Michael Gordon, set designer, Seth Arreola, and lighting designer Jody Caley.
Drift is an intriguing solo that folds and unfolds like the tissue of an Origami crane. It tumbles, rolls, and scatters in the wind or floats down a stream. The music is haunting in continuum by Michael Gordon.
EL MUNDO DE LAS MUJERES
El Mundo de las Mujeres, was choreographed in 2006 by company member, Jennie Sustaita. This is a powerful rhythmic piece influenced by Latin instrumentation. The dance celebrates the beauty and strength of women within the Latin culture. The music is by Clive Romney written for his band, Enoch Train. The dance is part of NBDT's HEARTLAND Project.
EMIGRE
Émigré debuted at the Int'l Comp. for Contemporary Dance in Mexico City, in 1999. After interviewing many refugees in Nannette's community, discussing their personal stories and observing daily media coverage of the plight of the émigré, a dance piece began to evolve. The music is a collage of international artists arranged by Ms. Brodie and Evan Williams. The costumes were designed by Joel Berlin. This work was funded in part by the California Council for the Humanities.
HEARTLAND - THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Artistic director, Nannette Brodie has collaborated with Enoch Train, an American folk music ensemble to create a performance that transports the audience around the world. Stories, struggles and triumphs are portrayed through an evening of live music, modern dance video sequences and spoken word. There are 7 dances included in Heartland as follows: The Welcoming, Ever Near at Hand, Beyond the River, Faith, Hope and Love, Distant Promises, El Mundo de las Mujeres and Depart and Remember.
Holiday brings out the playfulness in all as it winds its way on an imaginary tour or vacation for a young couple. The dance was created in 1978 by Nannette Brodie and Danial Shapiro, when they were both dancing for the Moving Company. The piece was revived with NBDT in 2008 accompanied by a new musical score created by Eric Ruskin.
ISLANDS OF THE BLESSED
Islands of the Blessed was created by Nannette for the company in 1986 and was returned to the current repertoire last season. This dance has a surreal, other-worldly quality about it inspired by various images from Greek mythology without actually telling a story thereof. The dancers do not seem to be part of this world as they glide across the floor and are lifted into the air. The music of Phillip Glass is hypnotic and draws the listener in like the sirens of the Odyssey.
JOURNEY OF CHANGE
Journey of Change explores the dynamics of a relationship of two men and one woman from tenderness to opposition, and resolve. The piece, choreographed by NBDT company member, Erica Villalpando, was first performed in 2008 for the Invitational Concert at Golden West College Theater.
Jubilee is originally part of the Smithsonian Week project created with Ricky Peyton, specialist in Gospel and Rhythm and Blues music for the Smithsonian Institute. The dance movement was created by Amanda Turner and adapted later to Gospel music by Nannette Brodie. It is a joyous dance that celebrates the free spirit.
LEGEND OF THE WEE PEOPLE
Legend of the Wee People transports the audience into the mythical days of Ireland with imagery of goddesses, elves and fairies that tell a story about the brilliant ball of light that is treasured by the wee people. This dance is part of the program, All Things Irish, a performance for families and includes live fiddling music.
Let Them Eat Cake was created as a celebration for NBDT's 25th Anniversary as a collaborative among the director and company. It contrasts the opulent feel of the Baroque period in costume and mannerisms with playful contemporary movement and the music of Takenobu.
Mobile began as a tribute to Alwin Nikolais with his invention in costume and unusual props. The original music is by Craig Kupka with additional percussion by Bill Georges. The dance is other-worldly and charming in a fantasy landscape of dots and lines.
POLYMORPHIC
Polymorphic was inspired by shape and line of architecture with the use of the red boxes as props contrasted by the East Indian inspired music which invokes lines of yoga body forms. It moves from a slow meditative scene to a high energy acrobatic motion on and off the boxes. The music is by Sheila Chandra, Salon Oriental, and Little Buddha Cafe.
SEEN AND UNSEEN
Seen and Unseen is a trio for three men as they struggle in an unrelenting design of darkness and light. It becomes a kind of game as the light attempts to control the dancers. The piece was choreographed by Nannette Brodie and presented in 2008 for the Invitational Concert at Golden West College Theater.
SEEN FROM BENEATH
Seen from Beneath is an exploration of light and psychological pathos. It was created for Jennie Sustaita and performed in July 2007 for the Dance in the Desert Festival in Las Vegas. The music and movement for the work are mysterious and provoke the audience to wonder in anticipation as to what is coming next.
SEEN FROM WITHIN
Seen from Within is a solo piece that begins with the living form within the confines of a suspended hammock. It becomes a struggle between the aerial body and the gravity pull of movement below. The character has affection for both places yet is somewhat alien to the earth. Music is by Phillip Glass. This work is part of a larger suite called Dark to Light.
SEEING THROUGH
Seeing Through brings the audience into a dream-like place almost like a voyeur observing the beauty of two women floating in the air on a bar and later entwined in sculptural form on the floor. The dance is seen through a black scrim that is framed similar to a large window. This dance is part of the larger suite Dark to Light with music by Kerry Muzzey.
SEIZING THE LIGHT
Seizing the Light, a solo modern work on pointe was choreographed by Nannette and Allison Risdon. From the first step on stage, the dance has a creature-like aura about it, both commanding and curious. The music by Daniel Lenz and Paul Sebastien is in a driving rock style that supports the intensity of her performance. This solo was awarded the Else Louden Solo Award for Choreography at the McCallum Theater Dance Festival in Palm Desert.
STEAM HEAT
Steam Heat is based on the original choreography of Bob Fosse arranged by Jeff Hendrix. This sparkling work is a delight to perform in its baggy black suits, bow ties and derby hats. The movements are precise and small which is the signature of Fosse's style. The music is from the film, Pajama Game, composed by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
2019 NANNETTE BRODIE DANCE THEATRE