Louise Reichlin & Dancers/LA Choreographers & Dancers creates a new interactive program for families with previews on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 10:30 & 12 noon. The forty-five minute dance/theatre/multimedia performance is called "The Better to Bite You With" and features a modernized fairytale based on "Little Red Riding Hood," found in just about every culture around the world. The interactive work was inspired by the new technology in computer x-rays that creator Louise Reichlin's dentist used last year. A number of these type of x-rays are actually part of the presentation, along with original masks and a set-piece by Stephen Kwok. Part of "The Reality Series", this new work turns to the theme of teeth, one of the most basic and important parts of ours (and many animals') bodies
       
        "The Better to Bite You With" begins with a vaudevillian collage of mouths and toothbrushes. As we enter the story line, we meet Lil Red and her Mama Blue, we discover where she got her name and the dilemma she has, a toothache to be precise. Sent to see her Grandmother who is to take her to the dentist, Lil Red must travel through a park where many different animals live. Afraid and reluctant to go through, she dances with a flock of birds in front of the park. Later Lil Red meets the infamous Wolf, but the story builds to an unexpected and creative conclusion. This sophisticated theatrical adventure is woven with technology, narration, music ranging from Dixieland and Liz Story to King Crimson, and of course dance.

        On Sunday April 19, 2009, "The Better to Bite You With" premieres at the Jazz Bakery. The preview performances will have an extra educational component, and the premiere will be more sophisticated in approach. Beginning at 3:30, after a short intermission, the program continues at 4:30 with three dances from the dance/multimedia "The Reality Series". These interactive pieces ask the audience to explore everyday events that often go unnoticed. As the work begins, audience members can volunteer for a simulated hair wash in "The Shampoo" as the dancers explore the feelings of sensuality and energy created through the tactile experience of hair, bubbles and water. In "Los(t) Angeles", a reviewer wrote "The highlight ... was Los(t) Angeles, whose twists and turns, its mixing of styles tastefully arranged to display the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles, allowed the dancers to display their many strengths and audience members to display their enthusiasm." (Lynn Warech, Dance Reviewer, Random Lengths). "Identity", the third piece, is both a dance and an interactive identity puzzle. Have you ever received spam email asking you _to buy the willing wife?_  To save a dying man?_  _To trust an assassin?  To hide money for a soldier? Director Louise Reichlin was inspired by some of the creative appeals she actually receives. The audience discovers clues and controls movement themes between shadowy dancers, working together to strip away identities and layers of realities in order to solve the mystery. The piece was developed in collaboration between Reichlin and the dancers with the content humorous, frightening, and touching.

        Louise Reichlin & Dancers was founded in 1979, using the non-profit base of Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers. LA C&D has presented both Reichlin's company and Zapped Taps(tm)/Alfred Desio and has a long history of creating works for families, as well as educating children and youth. The company tours to many LA, Santa Barbara and Orange County schools, is a 2004-09 member of the LAUSD Arts Community Partnership Network and has worked with the Arts Prototype Program since its inception. It has ten programs featured on the LA County arts resource web site, www.LAArtsEd.org. Some of Reichlin's other well-known works include "The Tennis Dances", "Celtic Suite", "Urban and Tribal Dances", the multimedia "The E-Mail Dances" and "The Patchwork Girl of Oz" and the choreography for the cirque-music show "Dream Scapes". Louise Reichlin & Dancers has taken these works to 14 states and Mexico to outstanding reviews. The company's next performance is at the Orange County Museum of Art on Easter Sunday, April 12 at 1:30 pm as part of the Target Free Second Sundays.

        The Jazz Bakery is located at 3233 Helms Ave, Los Angeles 90034. The previews of "The Better to Bite You With" on Tuesday April 7, 2009 are at 10:30 am and 12:00 noon. Admission is FREE and made possible in part by the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment. To make reservations call: 213-385-1171. The event web site is at http://www.LAChoreographersAndDancers.org. Click on Current News. The performances are also listed on http://www.culvercity.org/culture.asp. The Premiere of "The Better to Bite You With" is on Sunday April 7, 2009 at 3:30 pm, and at 4:30 are three interactive dances from "The Reality Series" including "The Shampoo", "Los(t) Angeles and "Identity". Tickets are $25 general and $15 for students under 21 and get you in for one or both pieces. They can be ordered from The Jazz Bakery: 310-271-9039 or on their web site: http://www.jazzbakery.com. There is also information at http://www.LAChoreographersAndDancers.org. Click on Current News. Videos also on YouTube.com/LouiseReichlin.

        Director is Louise Reichlin. Featured performers include Lynn Campbell, Genna Forkey, Samantha Hoe, Anaja Holloway, Steven Nielsen, Sung-Yun Park, Louise Reichlin, Jaclyn Speas and Salinee Vanichanan.

        The April 7 performances are made possible in part by the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment. Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers is funded in part by a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Also the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs. X-rays graphics provided by Gendex and Dexis.           #    #    #