Heavenly Blues & Jumpin Jazz
Steal Away
This saga is the story of five upstanding church ladies, Stella, Sudy, Redd, Jade, and Blu who are trying to raise money to send young African-American women to college during the great depression by holding bake sales and the like. Their latest beneficiary, Tracy Ada, has ideas that are more ambitious. She wants them to rob a bank. At the same time, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson are on a bank robbing spree in and around Chicago. Of course, the ladies are reluctant to do anything that drastic, but when they are turned down at the bank for a loan to send another young woman to college because the bank manager does not think that “colored girls” need an education, the ladies decide to join in Tracy Ada’s scheme.
Written by Ramona King Directed by Robin T. Rich-McGhie
Crowns
A moving and celebratory musical play in which hats become a springboard for an exploration of black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young black woman who has come down South to stay with her aunt after her brother is killed in Brooklyn. Hats are everywhere, in exquisite variety, and the characters use the hats to tell tales concerning everything from the etiquette of hats to their historical and contemporary social functioning. There is a hat for every occasion, from flirting to churchgoing to funerals to baptisms, and the tradition of hats is traced back to African rituals and slavery and forward to the New Testament and current fashion. Some rap but predominantly gospel music and dance underscore and support the narratives. The conclusion finds the standoffish young woman, whose cultural identity as a young black Brooklyn woman has been so at odds with the more traditional and older Southern blacks, embracing hats and their cultural significance as a part of her own fiercely independent identity.
Written by Regina Taylor Directed by Robin T. Rich-McGhie
"Let my People Go"
This production is an all dance interpretation of the 1998 DreamWorks Movie “The Prince of Egypt”. We present the story of the Book of Exodus and follows the life of Moses from being a prince of Egypt to his destiny; to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Songs by Han Zimmer and Stephen Schwartz
Production Director Robin T.Rich McGhie Artistic Executive Choreographer Gina Tate
"Prideland"
This production is an all dance interpretation of the Disney Movie “The Lion King” which is an adaptation of the Broadway Musical by the same name, and features musical dance numbers. “The Lion King” presents the story of a lion cub’s journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. Simba begins life as an honored prince, the son of the powerful King Mufasa. The cub’s happy childhood turns tragic when his evil uncle Scar, eliminates Mufasa and drives Simba away from the kingdom. In exile, the young lion befriends the comically bumbling pair of Pumbaa, the warthog and Timon, the meerkat and lives a carefree jungle life. As he approaches adulthood, however, he is visited by the spirit of his father, who instructs him to defeat the nefarious Scar and reclaim his rightful throne.
Songs by Tim Rice, Elton John and Hans Zimmer
Production Director Robin T.Rich McGhie Artistic Executive Choreographer Gina Tate
"The Fantasy & Adventure of Oz"
This production is an all dance interpretation of the rendition of the popular 70’s movie which was made famous by Michael Jackson and Diana Ross and the Broadway hit musical The Wiz. A re-imagining of the classic tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This show is a predominately all kid cast performances include pointe, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. This performance is an adaptation of the Broadway Musical that is interpreted through what we have titled a Theatrical Ballet.
Screen Play by Joel Schumacher
Production Director Robin T.Rich McGhie Artistic Executive Choreographer Gina Tate
"Cindy and the Glass Slipper"
An all dance interpretation of the 1997 American musical fantasy television film produced by Walt Disney Television starring Whitney Houston, as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. The film stars Brandy as Cinderella. This performance is an adaptation of the Musical that is interpreted through what we have titled a “Theatrical Ballet”. It features musical dance numbers that express the story-line and artistry of dance and acting through Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. It features a cast composed of predominantly kids from the community and it is an awesome, enjoyable, family-oriented event.
Produced by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Songs by Whitney Houston and Brandy
Production Director Robin T.Rich McGhie Artistic Executive Choreographer Gina Tate
"It's a Hard Knock Life A Dance"
“It’s A Hard Knock Life” A Dance Adaptation of Annie!!!
While the plot expounds upon the political, economic, historical and social service issue of the 1930’s; our production is a bigger, brighter, classic version of this popular folklore. This production is an all dance interpretation of the popular 80’s movie, which was made famous by Aileen Quinn, Carol Burnett and Ann Reinking, and it includes the dance styles; ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop.
This was our first all dance production in what we call a “Theatrical Ballet”. It is our own interpretation of this beloved story. The audience will experience fiction while viewing the performance in dance, acting and creative movement through pantomiming the words. We have re-imaged the storyline by adding cultural music and art to this rag to riches tale. What makes our production unique is the fact that we have a predominantly all kids cast
Written by Carol Sobieski
Production Director Robin T.Rich McGhie Artistic Executive Choreographer Gina Tate