LA Choreographers & Dancers celebrates 30 years with an innovative and interactive dance performance at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Edye Second Space featuring a fun dance/multimedia program for people of any age based on world popular tale “Little Red Riding Hood.” Inspired by new technology the exciting production includes computer x-rays that creator Louise Reichlin saw at her dentist’s office. This interactive dance/media work turns to the theme of teeth, one of the most basic and important parts of ours (and many animals’) bodies.
Louise Reichlin & Dancers/LA Choreographers & Dancers return to Santa Monica for the first time in 8 years to present their newest production, “The Better to Bite You With,” at the brand new black box theatre, the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Edye Second Space. There will be two chances to enjoy this new interactive dance and multimedia performance on April 18, 2010, at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
“The Better to Bite You With” is a modernized take on the classic fairytale “Little Red Riding Hood,” which is found in almost every culture around the world. This interactive work focuses on the teeth, one of the most basic and important part of ours (and many animals’) bodies. Its creation was inspired by computer generated x-rays that creator Louise Reichlin’s dentist used. A number of these x-rays will be part of the presentation, along with original masks and a set-piece designed by Stephen Kwok. Costumes are by Linda Borough. Director is Louise Reichlin. Featured performers include: Danielle Catone, Steven Nielsen, Sung-Yun Park, Kristin Rapinchuk, Emily Show and Katya Sussman.
“The Better to Bite You With” show begins with a vaudevillian collage of mouths and toothbrushes. As we enter the story line, we meet Li’l Red and her Mama Blue; we discover where she got her name and her dilemma– a toothache. Sent to see her Grandmother, who will take her to the dentist, Li’l Red must travel through a park where many different animals live. Afraid and reluctant to go, she dances with a flock of birds in front of the park. Later Li’l Red meets the infamous Wolf, but the story builds to an unexpected and creative conclusion. This sophisticated theatrical adventure is woven with technology, narration, music ranging from Dixieland to King Crimson, and of course dance.
Audiences surveyed at preview performances for “The Better to Bite You With” have enthusiastically enjoyed the show. Comments written on the survey have said, “The interaction and photos were really cool,” and that there was “great music and dance along with a good storyline.” While parents thought that it was perfect for children of all ages, one parent wrote, “The kids in the audience from 3 year olds to teens were all laughing and engaged the whole time!” Some of the favorite parts of the show were the incorporation of pictures of audience members’ teeth that were taken in the lobby before the performance, as well as masks and ALL of the individual dances.
The show will cost $10 for children and students and $15 for adult general admission. There is free parking in the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Edye Second Space lot, as well as on Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards. However, parking on any side streets around Edye Second Space is prohibited.
About Louise Reichlin & Dancers/ About Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers
Louise Reichlin & Dancers (LR&D) is now celebrating its 30th anniversary, and uses the non-profit base of Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers (LA C&D). LA C&D has presented both Reichlin’s company and Zapped Taps(tm)/Alfred Desio and has a long history of creating works for families, as well as educating children and youth. Besides full performances the company tours to many LA, Santa Barbara and Orange County schools. Also a 2004-10 member of the LAUSD Arts Community Partnership Network (ACPN), the company has worked with the Arts Prototype Program since its inception. It has ten programs featured on the LA County arts resource web site, www.LAArtsEd.org. Some of Reichlin’s other well-known works include “The Tennis Dances”, “Celtic Suite”, “Urban and Tribal Dances”, the multimedia “The E-Mail Dances” and “The Patchwork Girl of Oz” and the choreography for the cirque-music show “Dream Scapes”. Louise Reichlin & Dancers has toured in 14 states within the United States and Mexico.
Our Sponsors
LA C& D is funded in part by a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Also the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Target is a sponsor of “The Better to Bite You With” and X-rays graphics are provided by Gendex and Dexis.
About Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Edye Second Space
The Edye is located on 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. It is a new black box performance space and dedicated to all Arts, eclectic and powerful. It’s small and intimate space that allows an up-close and personal experience with the performing arts. ###
