Musical Theatre West (MTW) is continuing its free “Get Up and Dance!” series of classes each Saturday morning, this month focusing on jazz dance.
MTW is also putting on a “Forever Plaid 30th Anniversary Reunion Concert” at Blair Field in Long Beach, with shows from Thursday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 8.
Jazz dance classes begin Saturday, Aug. 7
Pandemic or not, it’s time to dance. MTW is hosting a dance class each Saturday morning this month, beginning Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. Classes are free, though MTW welcomes donations, half of which go to the teaching artist.
Professional dancer Eric Stretch will lead this month’s classes on storytelling through dance, using music and choreography from the Tony Award-winning musicals “Wild Party” and “Motown the Musical.”
Stretch told the Signal Tribune that participants will be able to learn a dance combination, perform it and enjoy it.
Each 30- to 40-minute class will build on the previous, beginning with learning a character-driven dance combination from “Wild Party” on Aug. 7 and practicing it the next week on Aug. 14.
During the third week’s class on Aug. 21, participants will learn a 1960s-style dance combination from “Dancin’ in the Streets,” a musical number from “Motown the Musical,” and continue practicing that during the final class on Aug. 28.
Stretch has been a Broadway and television dancer for more than 20 years and has taught at dance studios and universities across the U.S., Canada and Europe. MTW describes Stretch as “an exciting and insightful dance instructor who inspires students to perform far beyond the dance technique.”
The class is high-energy but appropriate for all ages and experiences, Stretch said. In terms of footwear, more experienced dancers can wear heels, but novices can wear any type of jazz shoe or sneaker.
“It’s going to be fun and you’re going to learn something new,” Stretch said.
MTW has been offering its “Get Up and Dance!” series of classes since February, with a different instructor and style focus each month. Past classes can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/showcase/8485246.
Musical Theatre West’s Zoom dance classes begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 and continue Aug. 14, 21 and 28. Classes can be accessed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5628561999 Meeting ID: 562 856 1999. Classes are free but donations can be made through Venmo-What-You-Can @musicaltheatrewest.
“Forever Plaid” concert tickets available for Aug. 5-8
MTW’s “Forever Plaid 30th Anniversary Reunion Concert” shows this weekend will feature four cast members from Forever Plaid’s original New York Production—Stan Chandler, David Engel, Jason Graae and Larry Raben.
The approximately one-hour performance showcases classic 1950s hits such as “Sh-Boom,” “Catch a Falling Star,” “Three Coins in the Fountain” and “Chain Gang/Sixteen Tons.”
Showtimes are Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with an extra show Saturday at 5 p.m., at Blair Field, an outdoor baseball stadium at 4700 Deukmejian Drive in Long Beach. Face masks are recommended at Blair Field but not required, MTW states on its site.
Regular seating is available from $10 to $50. Tickets can be purchased through MTW’s website at musical.org/forever-plaid-30th-anniversary-concert/
VIP tickets are also available and include reserved parking, exclusive entrance, a drink and snack and a meet-and-greet with the cast. Premium box seats include reserved parking and a bottle of wine. Family box seats hold up to six. VIP and box seating prices range from $160 to $325.
There is limited $20 parking available on site or free street parking on Park Avenue or Deukmejian Drive.
“Think of this as a moment to remember from the Ed Sullivan Show,” MTW says. “But outside, in a ballpark, with the scent of beer and popcorn in the air.”
