SUMMER '83 (Clifford/Various)

Every now and again I liked to choreograph something silly and just for fun. Every summer my Los Angeles Ballet had a 4-week season at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater (1,000 seats) in Hollywood right across the Freeway from the Hollywood Bowl. This was free to the public and underwritten by LA County, so for these shows I liked to try and bring in the younger crowd that wouldn't necessarily go to the ballet. We would open with a couple of Balanchine ballets, (on this program it was Valse Fantasie and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux) then a couple of mine, and end with this salute to what was popular on the radio this summer. The Walkman was everywhere in those days, and everyone jogged like crazy. At least in LA. Even though I am not pleased with my choreography for the large group dances, I think the solos and pas are fine. Each tells a little story reflecting the lyrics, and there is nostalgia for youth all through this dance. My 3 "Dreamers," are, Diane Dickson, Kevyn O'Rourke, and Lesli Wiesner. My, "Kung Fu Master," is Reid Olson. The divine Johnna Kirkland is the, "Ballerina," and Christopher Boatwright her, "Stalker." George Vargas is our, "Leather Boy," (and what you can't see is that there is a near naked "Devil" at the back of the stage, half-way up the mountain. I used a ripped model-athlete wearing nothing but a flesh colored jock-strap, but with an old man's mask and long grey hair. You can hear the audience scream when he first appears. Then we have Evette DeMarco, Patrick Russell, and our, "Singer," the hilarious Rudi Simpson, ("Ghetto Blaster" and all). Finally Chris Boatwright does a very difficult controlled solo to start the Finale. The audience always went crazy even though this is clearly not my best nor most serious work. You can see the young future superstar and President of the JUILLIARD SCHOOL, Damian Woetzel in a purple sweatshirt and black shorts. Can't help but think his successes at the Vail Dance Festival don't owe something to his time here. Hey...Balanchine did PAMTGG (look it up) so I'm in good company. Filmed by Randy Berke for our archives.