“We Cool” was reviewed by the Los Angeles Dance Chronicle’s Leah Bass-Baylis at the Brea Curtis Theater last October. In that review Bass-Baylis was struck that Alexander “… carried the hope and optimism that seems to be characteristic of youth”. I could not agree more with this assessment after having seen the show here in Los Angeles at the intimate and exposed space of The Nimoy, in Westwood. I love this space as it is focused with no where to hide, so to speak. Kyreeana Breelin Alexander had no reason to, indeed her open vulnerability was refreshing to behold. According to the program notes: “We Cool is an autobiographical coming of age story, a childhood diary come to life.” This “childhood diary” comes to us in the form of dance, song, organic puppetry and text.
“We Cool” choreographed and performed by Kyreeana Breelin Alexander – Photo by Jason Williams, courtesy of CAP UCLA.
A word here about YoungArts who partnered with CAP UCLA to make this performance possible. YoungArts was founded by Ted and Lin Arison in 1981 for the purpose to identify, encourage and award emerging talent in all art forms. Kyreeana Breelin Alexander has been the recipient of the Robinson Award through the National YoungArts Foundation. This show makes sense in that we see how Alexanders’ childhood diary has helped her overcome fears and insecurities natural to any child or artist, has supplied a platform for her imagination to seed and bloom, and has provided feedback (albeit her own) to enable her to edit, shape and hone her overall craft.
“We Cool” choreographed and performed by Kyreeana Breelin Alexander – Photo by Jason Williams, courtesy of CAP UCLA.
A large portion of the show was provided by three stuffed bears manipulated (organically) by the artist herself. They attend through video shown on a large screen upstage and comment on her feelings, movement, desires, etc. They are: Orange Teddy Bear, or O.T. Bear who is the Heart of the group, Murray Huggy-Bear who is the Soul of the group, and Marcus Bearinson who is the Mind of the group – inquisitive, intellectual. There is a great deal of kibbitzing from these three via video during the entirety of the show. They also provide much needed breaks in between the strenuous dance numbers performed.
“We Cool” choreographed and performed by Kyreeana Breelin Alexander – Photo by Jason Williams, courtesy of CAP UCLA.
To open the show, Alexander enters from the back of the house, and we hear the taps coming loud and clear from way up in the booth. As she descends the stairs tapping all the way I am reminded of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson on the stairs in “The Little Colonel” with Shirley Temple, 1935. Alexander’s rhythms are just as calm, even and deliberate. They are simple, but not easy.
“We Cool” choreographed and performed by Kyreeana Breelin Alexander – Photo by Jason Williams, courtesy of CAP UCLA.
After this she launches into a Modern floor dance that is extremely smooth and difficult requiring a great deal of control. There is a grand piano stage right and she plays and sings a song of her own creation. All throughout she tap dances and all of it is clean, sharp, precise. She uses many different platforms for her tap which changes the timbre of the sound. This also augments the different moods conveyed during the length of the show. She is very talented and I, for one, am very excited to see what she produces as a full-grown adult, in possession of her own imagination without the need of the Bears in order to voice her opinions or ideas.
For more information about CAP UCLA, please visit their website.
For more information about the UCLA Nimoy Theatre, please visit their website.
Written by Brian Fretté for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: “We Cool” choreographed and performed by Kyreeana Breelin Alexander – Photo by Jason Williams, courtesy of CAP UCLA.
