MONROE -- Spend a few minutes talking with Jen Koralewski and it's easy to see she's a woman who looks to the past to focus on the future.
"I like to say I'm taking it back a little bit," Koralewski says of her classical jazz dance company, Motor City Dance Extension, that will perform Jazz in Motion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.
"This style of dance has just become lost in our modern world," she said. "I always wanted to do something with jazz. I'm a jazz baby. My biggest inspiration is the Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in Chicago. I base a lot of my style and art off of them."
The 24-year-old started the Motor City company at River Raisin in December and immediately the girls, ages 15 to 22, began rehearsing for their debut production on their home stage accompanied by the Monroe Big Band directed by Tim Lentner.
Lentner and Koralewski selected the music that will feature songs by Michael Buble and Natalie Cole, classical jazz numbers, and some contemporary tunes. The performers will dance to classics "Jump Jive An' Wail" and "Sing, Sing, Sing."
The 90-minute show will include dance solos, duets, trios, and large group numbers featuring the nine dancers -- Reina Cooke, Toni Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar, Darcy Howland, Alyssa Langmeyer, Kiera Malone, Lindsay Navarre, Alexis Toutant, and Alexis Zuckerman. There also will be a guest performance by Detroit Tap Repertory.
"It's a great opportunity to dance to live music. They are a phenomenal band. If you are not even a dance lover you would appreciate this show because their music is so fantastic," Koralewski said.
Koralewski choreographed the show, runs the company, and made many of the dancers' costumes. "It's been fun. I love what I do so much and I'm so passionate about these dancers. RRCA is so fantastic."
Jazz in Motion will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 S. Monroe St., Monroe. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Information: 734-242-7722 or www.riverraisincentre.org.
Best Whorehouse
The Toledo Repertoire Theater this weekend opens the Tony-Award winning musical satire The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on its 10th Street stage.
Based on a true story, Miss Mona's house of ill repute is center stage when a local reporter decides to bring to light the happenings inside.
The hit musical ran on Broadway from June, 1978, until March, 1982, for 1,584 performances. Henderson Forsythe and Carlin Glynn won the 1978 Tony Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress. The 1982 film adaptation starred Dolly Parson and Burt Reynolds.
In the Rep's production, Helane Stiebler, as Miss Mona, is the owner of the Chicken Ranch, where she takes special care of her girls and the local sheriff played by David James. A Texas reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe, played by Larry Farley, is fixated on bringing down the ranch. The musical is directed by James M. Norman with musical direction by Josh Glover.
This musical contains mature content. Parental discretion is advised.
"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday through June 23 at the Toledo Repertoire Theater, 16 10th St. Additional performances are at 2:30 p.m. June 17 and June 24 and at 8 p.m. June 21. Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, $10 for students 13 and older, and $5 for students 12 and younger. Information: 419-243-9277 or toledorep.org.
Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com.
First Published June 7, 2012, 4:00 a.m.
