www.gay-sd.com San Diego Dance Theater


Intimate Cabaret Dances WHEN: Jan. 14-15, 8 p.m.; Jan. 16, 6 p.m. (Doors open one hour prior to perfor- mance for buffet. Cash bar.)


WHERE: Garfield Theater, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Execu- tive Dr., La Jolla


COST: $50 Dinner and show, includes catering by Eron Baker Catering; $30 (show only); $20 students (show only)


INFO: (619) 255-1803 or sandiegodancetheater.org FROM PAGE 1 DANCE


better viewing for our audiences,” Isaacs said. “The Garfield Theater has state of the art lighting, pro- jections and sound that will show- case the talent of our dancers and the entire creative team.” The show, now in its 10th year,


is a chance for patrons of the arts to enjoy a cocktail, an elegant dinner, and to bask in the artistic ambiance that the dance theatre performers have spent months preparing. Although the show is not dras-


tically different each year, a nota- ble component of the 2011 Caba- ret is the introduction of LGBT themes within some of the dance performances. Anthony Diaz and Annie Boy-


er are among the cast members performing dances in which gen- der barriers are broken down. “The piece I’m performing


in is to the Gershwin song ‘Our Love is Here to Stay,’ and it’s re- ally engaging between myself and another male dancer in the company,” Diaz said. “There are flares of aggression, where we try to convey the relationship as-


FROM PAGE 19 PLAID


the pit of the “in-the-round” stage. A few rather inconspicuous boxes are left on stage where the ac- tors select props needed for the various numbers—anything from antlers to a nun’s habit. The set literally melds from a miniature version introduced in the first act to the real thing, with all the whistles and bells, in the second act.


Paul Peterson’s sound design and Chris Luessmann’s projec- tion design complement the production with lightening cracks and even a televised visit by the iconic and sedate Perry Como. No surprises from costume de- signer, Deb Stein; it’s plaid jack- ets and Perry Como sweaters. My particular favorites


include the quartet’s holiday FROM PAGE 18 SANTALAND


a fair amount of time fantasizing about stardom on the “One Life to Live” soap opera. As the season wears on,


Crumpet’s cheerful quotient begins to wear as he witnesses moms fighting each other or be- rating their kids for crying or not smiling on cue. He also has run- ins with some of his Santas and solves one Santa request to sing by crooning “Away in a Manger” in Billie Holiday style. This is a winning show be-


cause we can all identify with it. We haven’t all had elf training, but


everybody has walked past a local version of Santaland and seen the long lines, frazzled parents, whiny kids and temporary, smiling elves trying to keep the atmosphere cheery.


Scott is terrific, and his wide- eyed wonder at the lunacy that surrounds him both gives pause and keeps the atmosphere funny and light ... though he does slam a few of his coworkers.


“I’ve never even been acciden- tally mistaken for a good person,” he explains. If the relentless cheer of the holiday season is enough to curdle your latte, repair to New Village Arts Theatre for its now- traditional run of the delightfully caustic “Santaland Diaries.”♚


pect of domination—I want this to happen and I need this to hap- pen if I’m going to stay. “Then it goes into that softer


feeling, relaying that I’ve asserted my dominance, and now I’m going to express that I still care and that this is still going to work. There are gestural movements that are really sweet, and others that are almost forceful and provocative, which conveys the dynamic of a relationship.” Diaz said the dance highlights


the everyday struggles of a rela- tionship. “There’s always that dynam-


ic of settling into who is going to play what role and maybe at first, trying to determine how what you initially came into the relationship thinking ... (shifts) a bit,” he said. “But then you reach a consensus, realizing this is who we are and this is who we are to- gether.” Boyer’s dance, however, has a


bit of a twist. Choreographed to the song, “How Long Has This Been Going On,” the piece begins with two women fighting over one man, only to realize in the end, that they’re more compatible with each other. “The direction Jean (Isaacs) wanted to take this (in) was


interpretation of “Day-O,” a hodge-podge parody reconstruc- tion of “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and Winther’s teary lament of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein- deer.” And local favorite Jason Heil’s bungling about the stage— without missing a note—when he tosses off his glasses, becoming even more sight-challenged, is a classic. And there’s the cheeky choreography complete with plungers. The list goes on and delightfully on.


No doubt you will be cajoled


into singing along to the show’s version of “Matilda, Matilda,” and you will not escape the evening’s festivities without recalling fond memories of gay old times from the past. “Plaid Tidings” is the perfect holiday sequel to a show that provides dweeby humor, doo-wop harmonies and whole- some glad tidings to earthly audi- ences, young and old.♚


Anthony Diaz performing to Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” (Courtesy Toni Robin Public Relations/ Marketing)


DANCE


December 17-30, 2010 GAY SAN DIEGO


25


to have a cheating/ affair under- tone. The other female dancer and myself are literally throwing each other at Matt, fighting for his at- tention and love,” Boyer said. “But throughout the process, we realize that we’re not enemies, we share the same pain. Us ending the piece going off together just


The piece begins with two women fighting


over one man, only to realize in the end, that they’re more compatible with each other.


seemed like the natural ending, but it might surprise audience members.” The risks Isaacs takes with


her choreography, notes Boyer, is one of the reasons she most enjoys working with her. “We’ve all joked that the show


has turned out to be re- ally gay, but I don’t see the dance between the


men, or the one I’m perform- ing in, as gay,” she said. “Jean has said all along that it’s just all about love, and I love that she said that. I really appreciate that she uses that mentality and direc- tion with her work.”♚


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