'Decadent Divas' a dazzling success
The Charleston Ballet Theatre scored a huge success with "Decadent Divas," combining Jill Eathorne Bahr's thrilling choreography for an ensemble of vibrant dancers with Mary Porter's couture costumes and Steve Lepre's imaginative video images.
Opening Friday at CBT's Black Box Theatre, this world premiere drew a sold-out crowd that celebrated with champagne and applause.
The big band era of the '40s and '50s returned to life with Melody Staples dancing to Peggy Lee, and Jennifer Balcerzak Muller, in ruby red shoes, to Judy Garland, backed by a spiffy contingent of lovely young men who ably supported the ladies.
Andrea DeVries danced Barbra Streisand flying high. Jennifer Altman's Nina Simone recalled the singer's popularity, while the male company set the scene for "Walking in Memphis" with Melian Izatova as flashy as Cher.
Elizabeth Halajian turned the place upside down as Tina Turner in "Proud Mary," with Peter Swan as Ike. Erin Simons-Brown kept it going on as Gloria Estefan. Prizes for max energy also go to Ashley Lazenby as Mariah Carey and Melissa Weber as Madonna.
The most touching number was a dignified Bridget Halloran (Whitney Houston) watching Staples and Alexander Collen.
CBT got it just right, and in grand style.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Notice about comments:Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Isle of Palms wants to patch beach
- Sullivan's man seeks all school records
- Local homeowners seek foreclosure relief
- Veterans Job Fair set for Feb. 22 in North Charleston
- Boeing powering up first local jet
- S.C. to get nearly $34 million in mortgage deal
- Advocating for cyclists
