In an unusual pairing, LA’s own Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre joins forces with LA Opera in June, to offer a dancing, singing tribute to the great Leonard Bernstein in his centenary year. But they’re not stopping at mere collaboration: they’re bring the historic “tall ships” at San Pedro Harbor into the action, with the additional help of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute and AltaSea.
This artistic reminder that SoCal is a major part of the world’s seafaring commerce machine is a unique endeavor, and the results in a one-night-only adventure on June 24th, on-site at one of the busiest ports in the world. The Lister-studded event brings the usually separate but friendly neighbors of singing and dance together to celebrate one of the most legendary forces in the arts in the last century.
Learn more below and get tickets here.
Press release follows.
Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre honors Leonard
Bernstein with new work on San Pedro’s Tall Ships
Company to collaborate with LA Opera for first time
SAN PEDRO, Calif (May 19, 2017) — Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre is collaborating with L.A. Opera,Los Angeles Maritime Institute and marine research incubator AltaSea to bring an immersive art experience to the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s twin Tall Ships in San Pedro. Beyond the Waterfront, a one-night only, site-specific performance, will take place on Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m. at the Port of Los Angeles.
A dance opera story of sirens and sailors on the ships and the wharf, Beyond the Waterfront pays homage to the late Leonard Bernstein with a multi-sensory work that tackles themes of collaboration, sustainability and the influence of humanity on the environment. The history and aesthetic of the Tall Ships juxtaposed with the contemporary volume of traffic in the port will provide context for the performers to connect past and present in the piece. While the story will differ from the iconic film On The Waterfront — it won’t include any crooked union bosses — the production will inhabit the spirit of Bernstein’s work and the circumstances in which the film was shot: on the docks, longshoremen working in the background, and all the natural sounds of the port — birds, horns, water and wind.
HDDT company dancers Teresa “Toogie” Barcelo, Isaac Huerta, Corina Kinnear, Jillian Meyers and Ryan Walker Page will be joined by L.A. Opera singers soprano Jamie Chamberlin (Cretan Woman in Idomeneo and the High Priestess in Aida), soprano Lisa Eden (2017 Grammy Award, Best Opera Recording for the LA Opera official cast recording of The Ghosts of Versailles) and mezzo-soprano Melissa Treinkman (featured ensemble The Ghosts of Versailles and the Vendor in Carmen) as the sirens, with an original score by composer Juhi Bansal. The audience will sit on the wharf of City Dock No. 1, the oldest pier at the Port of Los Angeles, immersed in the sights and sounds of the port while watching the dancers perform on the anchored ships in the water. Duckler and her dancers will choreograph the piece in advance, though wind and sea conditions will contribute to an unpredictable and adventurous performance.
Founded in 1985 by choreographer Heidi Duckler, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre has created memorable dance experiences in extraordinary locations for three decades. Called the “reigning queen of site specific performance” by the Los Angeles Times, Duckler is dedicated to building audiences for the arts, especially in underserved communities. HDDT creates contemporary art experiences in nontraditional places and learning opportunities in diverse neighborhoods that redefine the relationship between audience and art through the cultivation of innovative partnerships. Duckler has created more than 200 dance pieces all over the world. Awards include a City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs COLA Award, California Arts Council Choreography Fellowship and National Endowment of the Arts American Masterpiece award.
This project is supported, in part, by LA Opera, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Maritime Institute, San Pedro Historic District and the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino.
Beyond the Waterfront takes place on Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m. at the Port of Los Angeles, 2456 S Signal St., Berth 58, San Pedro, CA 90731, Tickets are $50 general admission and $35 for groups of 10 or more. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 213-536-5820 or go to www.heididuckler.org/beyond-the-waterfront.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Beyond the Waterfront’
WHAT:
Beyond the Waterfront — Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre is collaborating with L.A. Opera, Los Angeles Maritime Institute and marine research incubator AltaSea to bring an immersive art experience to the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s twin Tall Ships in San Pedro. A dance opera story of sirens and sailors on the ships and the wharf, Beyond the Waterfront pays homage to the late Leonard Bernstein with a multi-sensory work that tackles themes of collaboration, sustainability and the influence of humanity on the environment. The audience will sit on the wharf of City Dock No. 1, the oldest pier at the Port of Los Angeles, immersed in the sights and sounds of the port while watching the dancers perform on the anchored ships in the water. Duckler and her dancers will choreograph the piece in advance, though wind and sea conditions will contribute to an unpredictable and adventurous performance.
WHO:
• Choreographed by Heidi Duckler
• Original music composed by Juhi Bansal
• Dancers: Teresa “Toogie” Barcelo, Isaac Huerta, Corina Kinnear, Jillian Meyers, Ryan Walker Page
• L.A. Opera singers: Jamie Chamberlain, Lisa Eden, Melissa Treinkman
• Supported, in part, by LA Opera, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Maritime Institute, San Pedro Historic District and the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino
WHEN:
Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
WHERE:
Port of Los Angeles
2456 S Signal St.
Berth 58
San Pedro, CA 90731
HOW:
• Call 213-536-5820 or go to www.heididuckler.org/beyond-the-waterfront
• Visit us on facebook: www.facebook.com/heididucklerdancetheatre/
• Follow us on twitter: @HeidiDuckler
• Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/heididuckler/
ADMISSION:
General admission: $50
Groups (10+): $35
