Following more than eighteen months of cancellations, postponements, virtual and outdoor presentations, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has announced that it plans to resume live indoor performances in October 2021. The season will offer a diverse selection of Southern California-based artists and companies in the fields of dance, theater, music, and film. October 2, 2021 will begin The Wallis’ ninth season and the sixth under the leadership of Artistic Director Paul Crewes and Executive Director & CEO Rachel Fine. If everything goes as hoped, all indoor performances will take place in The Wallis’ 500-seat Bram Goldsmith Theater. The Wallis made good use of the long period that the theater was shuttered by making extensive interior maintenance and technical upgrades.
The Winter and Spring programing will be announced at a later date, but the Fall 2021 planned highlights include:
- World Premieres by ATE9 Dance Company and BODYTRAFFIC
- The Wallis Debut of Celebrated Dancer/Choreographer Micaela Taylor’s The TL Collective
- World Premiere of 24th Street Theatre’s Rapunzel Alone Radio Play
- 40th Anniversary Celebration of Dreamgirls with Broadway Legend Jennifer Holliday
- The Distinctive Standup Comedy of Sandra Bernhard
- Performances by Classical Virtuosos Anne Akiko Meyers, violin, with Fabio Bidini, piano, and Ory Shihor, Piano
- Return of the Romantic Multi-Media Hit Musical Celebration Love Actually Live
- Four Star-Studded Events for Cinema Fans in Partnership with Film Independent
- Free Monthly Outdoor Sunday Funday Family Programs Featuring Debbie Allen & Friends’ Dance Sundays, Story Pirates, Parker Bent and Kiddle Karoo
- Co-Presentation of Three Outdoor Dance Performances by Jacob Jonas The Company in Santa Monica, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles, Extending The Wallis’ Reach into the Community
“We are thrilled with the plans to welcome audiences safely back inside The Wallis this fall, with a mix of diverse work in the Bram Goldsmith Theater,” says The Wallis’ Artistic Director Paul Crewes. “In designing the season, we wanted to honor our commitments to artists who were slated to work with us during the past 15 months, as well as bring new artists and companies to our stage. I am particularly excited to present three dynamic LA dance companies, led by three remarkable women. Also, the return of Love Actually Live at this time is particularly special. We also have some wonderful musical surprises. Our focus this fall is supporting and presenting artists, many from LA, that, like us, all are eager to get back to performing live again.”
Dance @ The Wallis
BODYTRAFFIC in “o2Joy” choreographed by Richard Siegal – Photo by Christopher Duggan
BODYTRAFFIC
Oct 14, 15, 16 | 7:30 PM
Bram Goldsmith Theater
$99/$69/$49/$39
BODYTRAFFIC’s troupe of “unfailingly deft and endearing dancers” (Los Angeles Times) takes the stage with three compelling works that embody the company’s energy, sophistication, and sheer joy in performing dance. Internationally acclaimed, BODYTRAFFIC, which concludes its Wallis residency, launches the dance series. The mesmerizing program includes Kyle Abraham’s Kollide, a 2013 BODYTRAFFIC commission made for five dancers that combines elements of ballet and hip hop to explore the emotional complexity of connection. Also on tap is the world premiere of Recurrence, a duet created by Ethan Colangelo, a company member who, in his short choreographic career, has already garnered much attention, including recent multiple awards at the prestigious Copenhagen International Choreography Competition. Rounding out the program is Micaela Taylor’s engaging SNAP, a piece capturing her take on the Los Angeles experience that urges us to “snap out of” the social pressure to conform.
Micaela Taylor – TL Collective – Photo by Sarah Prinz
THE TL COLLECTIVE
Oct 29 – 30 | 7:30 PM
Bram Goldsmith Theater
$79/$59/$39/$29
Dancer/choreographer Micaela Taylor’s The TL Collective make its Wallis debut this season. The LA-based dance company is known for its fusion of contemporary dance and theatrical hip-hop, including elements of groove accompanied by high-level athleticism that has received rave reviews. Taylor was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” and has received choreographic commissions from Rambert2, BODYTRAFFIC, and Carlos Acosta’s Acosta Danza, among others. This season, The TL Collective is slated to perform twice in New York City, appear at the International Festival of Performing Arts in Panama, with support from the USAI grant, and embark on a national tour. The company has also received recent commissions from The Vilar Performing Arts Center and The Getty Museum, and a co-commission from American Dance Festival and Jacob’s Pillow. The TL Collective is now on the rise as one of L.A.’s emerging dance companies. Los Angeles Times declares The TL Collective, “Athletic and graceful. Precise and fluid. Micaela Taylor’s choreography settles in the dichotomies.”
Ate9 – Photo courtesy of Ate9
ATE9 DANCE COMPANY
Joy (world premiere)
Nov 4 – 6 | 7:30 PM
Bram Goldsmith Theater
$99/$69/$49/$39
ATE9 Dance Company returns to The Wallis with the world premiere of the feature-length work Joy, a humorous and poignant reflection on human habits and addictions. The work, choreographed by ATE9’s Artistic Director Danielle Agami with music composed by Isaiah Gage, examines humanity’s yearning for moments of elation amidst despair, and offers intimate flashes into the mental and physical states of each cast member. A compelling local treasure blazing with innovation, ATE9 captivates with its thought-provoking work. Agami, noted for her electrifying movement, surprising sense of humor and impeccable craft, has been hailed as “choreography’s It girl” (Los Angeles Times).
The Fall 2021 also Includes (for full program details please visit The Wallis website)
- On This Shining Night, An Evening of Premieres With Anne Akiko Meyers (violin) and Fabio Bidini (piano)
Oct 2 | 7:30 PM – Bram Goldsmith Theater – $99/$69/$49/$39 - ORY SHIHOR, piano Beethoven: Darkness and Light – Thurs Oct 7 | 7:30 PM – Bram Goldsmith Theater $79/$59/$39/$29
- SANDRA BERNHARD – Madness & Mayhem – Oct 8 | 7:30 PM – Bram Goldsmith Theater $99/$69/$49/$39
- JENNIFER HOLLIDAY – Here’s to Life – Oct 9 | 7:30 PM – Bram Goldsmith Theater – $99/$69/$49/$39
- LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE – Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2021 – Bram Goldsmith Theater – $125/$99$69/$49/$39 ($105/$85/$65/$45/$35 Previews)
- A 24th Street Theatre Production – In Association with The Wallis – RAPUNZEL ALONE A Radio Play – October 2021 – FREE – On Demand
- The Wallis in Partnership with Film Independent Presents A Week of Events for Film Lovers – NOV 9-13 – Bram Goldsmith Theater
SUNDAY FUNDAY @ THE WALLIS
- Sunday, November 7, 2021, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Parker Bent, Story Pirates and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, December 12, 2021, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – event TBA and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, January 9, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Kiddle Karoo and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, February 13, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – event TBA and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, March 13, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Parker Bent and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, April 10, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Spring Groove and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, May 8, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Story Pirates and Dance Sunday
- Sunday, June 12, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Parker Bent and Dance Sunday
- Promenade Terrace – Free (Reservations Not Required)
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“The Wallis’ resilience and forward momentum is palpable,” states The Wallis’ Executive Director and CEO Rachel Fine. “Our Board and staff are tireless in their efforts to re-open and resume indoor performances responsibly in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. We have upgraded key technical equipment and conducted extensive interior maintenance throughout the entire building to ensure safety and to enhance the patron experience. The Wallis, which is considered one of Southern California’s most prominent performing arts venues as well as a civic hub, remains fully committed to serving the dynamic, ever-changing communities of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Southern California.”
The Wallis is closely monitoring the ever-changing local health and safety environment carefully and addressing known health factors at the moment. Should plans change and any performance be required to be postponed or cancelled or if venue capacity limitations are instituted, ticket holders will be notified immediately with options for their purchased tickets per The Wallis’ ticketing policies.
Proof of Full Vaccination & Face Masks will be Required at All Indoor Performances
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TICKET INFORMATION: Design Your Own subscriptions are currently on sale with a minimum commitment of three qualifying events to access subscriber benefits and savings. Single tickets for all Fall programs will go on sale on September 1, 2021. For updates, more information or to purchase a subscription, visit TheWallis.org/Subscribe or call 310.746.4000. Ticket prices subject to change.
For more information and for The Wallis’ most current health and safety protocols, please click HERE. TheWallis.org/SafetyIndoors.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 (Tue.-Fri. 9:30 am – 2:30 pm) or email Tickets@Wallis.org.
For more information about The Wallis, please their website.
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Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from The Wallis press release.
Featured image: BODYTRAFFIC – Photo courtesy of BODYTRAFFIC
