JANUARY 2010

Sunhead Project's latest collaboration with Charleston Ballet Theatre:



"Nessum Dorma" - Aretha Franklin • Photos by: Steve Lepre

"BALLET, FUNKY BEATS BLENDED IN 'MOTOWN"

By Dottie Ashley, Post and Courier Reviewer
Saturday, January 16, 2010

In an astonishing blast of media, music and dance, the Charleston Ballet Theatre opened the world premiere of "Motown Mania" on Thursday at its King Street theater with a tribute to Detroit. Six television monitors and an electronic backdrop offered gutsy images tracing the past 50 years of The Motor City.

Detroit native Jill Eathorne Bahr, CBT resident choreographer, has presented such an intoxicating, hard-hitting production that "Mania" could easily go to Off-Broadway.

To the beat of Motown hits and with Dany Kapp's sensitive lighting, a story is spun around a young couple, danced by husband-and-wife Melian Izotova and Mykhaylo Izotov, who come to town to enter the music scene.

Although rejected by street gangs, they decide to stay, and dance to "You Really Got a Hold on Me," blending balletic moves with rock before Stephen Gabriel, as a homeless man, pushes his junk-filled cart onto the scene.

Melody Staples in "Heat Wave," is hilarious as an over-zealous dancer in sparking tights, who forces her reluctant partner, Jonathan Tabbert, into performing over-the-top steps.

Bahr uses fresh body angles in "Beat It," as supple Steven Boston executes a handstand, morphing into a moon walk, whereas in "Inner City Blues," Alexander Collen performs a challenging shoulder-stand before a video montage of blood-splashed bricks and a dead rat.

The scenario is contrasted with Elizabeth Halajian's joyous interpretation of "Respect," as she shimmies and tap dances in spike heels. As Staples and Collen dance before crumbling mansions, suddenly from tragedy emerges hope, ignited by the smashing, uplifting ballet.



"Living For The City" - Stevie Wonder





"Lean on Me" - Bill Withers

Charleston Ballet Theatre