Firstly, I've retired the Phriday Phace category and redubbed it as(dropping voice an octave)... Legendary! It's a phrase that my friends have grown to love on me and it's so befitting of things that I find particulary outstanding!
So You Think You Can Dance is, without a doubt, my favorite reality show, ever! It's entertaining, relevant and brings exposure to the best of dancers, choreographers and music. What I love most about So You Think You Can Dance are the opportunities to experience genuine masterpieces and storytelling.
I don't think it coincidental that I had the opportunity to watch the sheer brilliance of the dance captured above after rambling on about creating from your truth. While watching this piece with my sister, the both of us were absolutely enthralled by the choreography and the commitment demonstrated by these two artists on that stage.
Choreographed by Mia Michaels, I have one thing to say... Legendary!
Mia displays utter genius and commitment to telling the story of addiction in a manner that goes unrivaled. Her work is genuine, heartfelt and truthful. HUGE props to the dancers, Kayla and Kupono. Their performances are what made that dance work. The emotional journey I experienced merely watching that piece must be insignificant in comparison to the journey Mia took the pair on while they studied this piece.
With a style as abstract as Contemporary dance can be, the song selection (Gravity - Sara Bareilles iTunes/Zune ) in conjunction with the collaboration of all three artists painted such perfect pictures. For you to feel nothing watching this dance, you must be dead inside.
Please watch this incredible talent, Alysha Umphress, deliver a gorgeous rendition of Gravity. I have the pleasure of seeing her often, co-hosting The After Party (with the amazing Brandon Cutrell), a free Musical Theatre open mic every Friday at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Swing by and you might catch the likes of Marcus Paul James, John Bucchino, Titus Burgess and Eden Espinosa (and me!) there singing a few tunes!
'Til next time.
Stay wonderfful!
P.S. Alysha will be saying "See you later!" to The After Party tonight. For the next five months she will be part of the upcoming Green Day musical American Idiot. Get it IN Ms. Umphress! I'll miss you!
