Joyce Rudolph
CAPTION: Jackie Speas dances the role of The Princess while Michael
Forscch is The Prince in "The Snow Queen" this weekend at The Lanterman
Theatre in La Canada Flintridge.
"The Snow Queen," a ballet based on the story by Hans Christian
Andersen, has been redefined through a special partnership between a
local dance company and composer.
Burbank native Randy Tobin has written, produced and played all the
musical instruments on the recording for this production staged at 7
tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday at The Lanterman Theatre in La Canada
Flintridge.
The second year this rendition of the ballet has been produced,
creators wanted to do something different with it this year. And it seems
to have evolved into quite a major theatrical work, Tobin says.
Those combining talents on the ballet are Erin Holt and her Dance Now
Academy of La Canada Flintridge, story adapter Marti Marhsall and Tobin.
The collaboration began in September 1998 with the premiere shows
slated for mid-December that same year. That left Tobin very little time
to create, arrange, orchestrate, perform, mix and master about 1 1/2
hours of music.
Amazingly the score, mostly orchestral with some specialyt instruemtns
and percussion, was delivered to Holt one compostion at a time over an
eight-week period. Tobin says he was so busy with the music, he didn't
get to actually see the dances until three days before the opening
curtain.
When "The Snow Queen" premiered last December with two performances a
tthe 700-seat Lanterman Theatre, Tobin wasn't sure what to expect. But
perhaps the multiple standing ovations that occurred were a clue that the
show had captured the imagination of everyone attending.
Tobin promises the same wonderful show with some revisions by the team
to the choregraphy, costumes, staging, lighting and music.
The Lanterman Theatre is at 4490 Cornishon Ave., in La Canada
Flintridge. Tickets are available at the door and cost $12 adults, $8
for students and lapsitters are free. For information, call 790-7924.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Gay Men's Chorus present 'Joys of the Season' concert
The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles will present "Joys of the Season"
today and Sunday at The Alex Theatre in Glendale.
The special guest performer is Broadway and television star Joanna
Gleason, who has won the Tony Award for Best Actress, and who is starring
in the Lifetime television series "Oh, Baby!"
Gleason will join the chorus at this concert, first for "The Christmas
