This show took place on the concourse level of the Bank of America Building in Downtown Los Angeles on the Rotunda. It was a space transformed for the evening into a sort of Jazz speakeasy. This worked well for American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) in many ways.
Upon entering the space, one is struck by the live music emanating from within. A jazz duo of bass and drums set the mood for the inner sanctum. I also received a wristband for a complimentary Whiskey Sour at my seat. Walking through a curtain we see the band set-up in a delineated lobby, on the opposite wall posters from the performers and band, straight ahead there is a champagne bar with tall cocktail tables inviting the audience to interact and share. This was an impressive visual and obviously a pretty penny was spent in its realization.
American Contemporary Ballet – “Jazz”, created by Lincoln Jones – Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.
Beyond the band was the dance floor consisting of a long stage area which dissipated at the far end into carpet and darkness. The seating was along the floor facing the windows and was four rows of folding chairs on risers with hard to read numbers along the back sides of the chairs. At least four couples asked me where they were supposed to sit as no one seemed to be ushering in the darkened space. The audience was in a receptive mood whether due to the intimate speakeasy décor or the free-flowing champagne I could not tell.
The evening was not a cabaret, nor was it a dance concert. It was a Ballet Company sexing it up with a live Jazz-band and drinks. If you like young girls in tiny ballet skirts and pointe shoes doing neoclassical ballet that is Balanchine inspired to old jazz standards, then this show is for you! A comedian, Brian Kiley, opened the show with a stand-up set (He was funny). Then a series of dances based on the ‘Charleston.’ After that four of the female dancers, Claire Bednarek, Taylor Berwick, Victoria Manning, and Quincey Smith with two carts of cocktails (the aforementioned whiskey Sours) came out and distributed them to the people with the wristbands.
American Contemporary Ballet – “Jazz”, created by Lincoln Jones – Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.
Next came more dances to fantastic jazz pieces by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, etc. Then another comedian, Matt Donaher (He was also funny) followed by more dances and a ragtime. The Band was Morgan “Daddy Butterbeans” Jones and his Hot Nine. And hot they were as they tore into jazz classics such as ‘Dancing Cheek to Cheek’ and ‘You’d be so nice to come home to.’ All were excellent musicians with special riffs from the clarinet, trombone and sax. The Band was: Angelina Brower – Vocals, Bryan Lipps – Trumpet, Khristian Foreman – Trombone, Chloe Feoranzo – Clarinet, Ben Flocks – Tenor Sax, Ben Thomas – Guitar and Banjo, Scott Worthington – Bass, Kyle Richter – Tuba, Marcelo Bucater – Drums, Morgan Jones – Piano and Celesta. The music was powerful and moody and sensual and sophisticated and spoke of a different time when men wore fedoras and double-breasted suits while the women wore slinky form-fitting dresses that clung, where the alcohol poured freely, and the nights were wild.
American Contemporary Ballet – “Jazz”, created by Lincoln Jones – Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.
All of the dances were choreographed by Lincoln Jones. His métier is seemingly choreography in the style of Georgiy Melitonovich Balanchivadze. It is laudable to bring such iconic Jazz music to bear on an evening of dance in a speakeasy atmosphere. It is also laudable to have your dancers exposed to new types of music and inspire their growth as artists in performing to that music. Jones’ neoclassical ballet choreography was transposed directly onto the Jazz.
Some of the choreography was whimsical and the dancers did a fine job of executing the technical aspects on pointe. The partnering was well done, however there was no emotion shown on the faces and really not once did anyone look at their partner. Some of the dancers individually seemed to be having fun doing it. The dancers: Elise Kruger, Brittany Yevoli, Hannah Barr, Annette Cherkasov, Madeline Houk, Sarah Bukowski, David Prottas, Maté Szentes, Kristin Steckmann, Claire Bednarek, Taylor Berwick, Victoria Manning, and Quincey Smith. Singer: Angelina Brower; Costume Design was by Yasamin Sarabipour with lighting by Payton Jane. The evening was hosted in part by Brookfield Properties.
The LA Downtowner wrote, “The American Contemporary Ballet is truly an experience unlike anything ever before, something one must see to believe.” I second this sentiment.
For more information about American Contemporary Ballet, please visit their website.
This article was edited on March 6, 2024 for a name correction.
Written by Brian Fretté for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: American Contemporary Ballet – “Jazz”, created by Lincoln Jones – Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.
