|
|
When asked to name some of his favorite or influential pieces, Alan
states:
"Some of my favorite number's are: Begin The Beguine with Fred Astaire
and Eleanor Powell, the Competition Number that Bob Fosse and Tommie Rall did outside the theater stage door in My Sister Eileen, Luck Be a Lady from Guys and Dolls and the Barn Raising number from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers are both fantastic, many of the exciting numbers done by the Nicholas Brothers and the Condos brothers, all the variations in The Turning Point performed by Baryshnikov. I also have to mention the many incredible dancers that I stretched, sweated, and smiled with, as well as admired, learned from, and was inspired by in classes of Phil Black's over the years."
"Some numbers I loved being able to perform include; the opening number in A Chorus Line, Rockin' in Rhythm in Sophisticated Ladies, Fabulous Feet and the Vaudeville number from The Tap Dance Kid, the title number and Broadway Rhythm from Singin' in the Rain, and the 5 style duet that Phil Black and I choreographed that was originally danced by Mary Mccatty and myself as guest artists for a concert at Hope College in Michigan. Current performers whose work I always enjoy include Bill Irwin (master clown), Yuval Beck (of Tel-Aviv), Charlotte D'Amboise (currently in A Chorus Line), and Desmond Richardson (Complexions)"
The performances being shown in this section are either pieces Alan has choreographed, performed in, or sometimes; both. Many are from Alive With Style, a concert presented in September of 2006.
Onickel says he especially enjoyed putting together the tributes to New York and New Orleans. He says the people of those two great American metropolises inspired him the way they refused to give up or give in after the horrible tragedies that befell them.
|
|
