(OCEAN, NJ) -- Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT) returns to the Axelrod PAC stage the weekend of April 8-10 with suites from West Side Story, An American in Paris, The Sound of Music and more in a new show called “Something’s Coming.” Under the direction of AXCBT director Gabriel Chajnik, “Something’s Coming” will capture iconic moments from 10 favorite movie musicals. The cast includes over a dozen dancers from the AXCBT company as well as special guest dancers from the Sarasota Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, The Ailey School and others.
“We are capturing the most exciting moments from favorite movie musicals and performing the dances and songs live on stage,” says Chajnik. “My choreography pays homage to some of the great originators, like Gene Kelly and Jerome Robbins, but with a contemporary flair that reflects my own vision and passion for this music. This is true American music at its best—George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers—all composers who wrote for singers and for dancers as well.”
Chajnik has invited fellow Juilliard graduate tenor David Smolokoff (who played Tony in the Axelrod’s production of West Side Story) and soprano Evy Ortiz (Maria in national tour of West Side Story) to sing some of those iconic Hollywood songs. The show has something for everyone—from Israeli folk dance to salsa to classical ballet.
“'Something’s Coming' is a timely celebration of the movie musical,” says Axelrod Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco. “The movie musical was dormant for a few decades until Rob Marshall’s film Chicago hit the big screen. More recently we’ve seen Jon Chu’s In the Heights and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tick, Tick…BOOM! film, not to mention this year’s Oscar-nominated West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. This AXCBT production will conjure favorite moments from some of the greatest musicals ever captured on film.”
“Something’s Coming” includes songs and suites from West Side Story and An American in Paris as well as Fiddler on the Roof, The Red Shoes, Brigadoon, Kiss Me, Kate and The Wiz. Audiences can expect to hear favorite songs such as Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s “Tonight” and “Somewhere,” George and Ira Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” Cole Porter’s “De-Lovely,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” and more!
“I love how many different types of roles we get to play,” says AXCBT company artist Olivia Miranda. “One moment I’m dancing in character heels and the next I’m en pointe. I think this production really speaks to our versatility as dancers.”
For an exciting dance experience, this new production by the Axelrod’s own dance company is the perfect way to welcome spring! Performances are April 8 at 8:00pm; April 9 at 2 & 8:00pm and April 10 at 3:00pm. Tickets are $26-54 at www.axcbt.org or call 732-531-9106, ext. 14. Group and student discounts are available. Visit the Axelrod’s main website for latest Covid safety guidance. Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Avenue in Deal Park, New Jersey.
Photos courtesy of Forever Young Photography
