More from the Atlanta Charisma days…
In 1985, MGM released a gem of a film that quickly became a must-see for dancers everywhere. It was called, “That’s Dancing!” and it mimicked the tried and true formula of the “That’s Entertainment!” films. With introductions and commentaries by legendary dancers, this montage blended all-time favorite routines with some never before seen movie footage of dancers throughout the 20th century.
At Atlanta Charisma, our entire season of dance leading up to our recital extravaganza, “Slick Georgia Chicks of 1986″ was inspired by “That’s Dancing” and it’s toe tapping theme song of the same name with music by Henry Mancini and words by Grossman/Fitzhugh. It began with the tribal-like rhythm chant of “The Heart, The Beat, That Starts, The Feet,” and then transported the listener/dancer through the many genres of movie musical melodies/dances and then wrapped it all up in one, “perfectly big ending.” It suited us to a T!
Now, how do we get our hands on this music?!! Remember, these were the days before iTunes! And movie soundtracks took forever to be released. With the VCR somehow connected to the Califone and then to a cassette tape recorder, we managed to pull a fairly decent working copy off of the VHS. Good enough to begin work on what would be one of Bobby Berkeley’s biggest and best choreographic efforts and a routine that would set Atlanta Charisma apart from other dance studios/companies because of our inclusion of students of all ages, and, ballroom dancing together with our ballet, jazz and tap stylings.
Add to that, a brand new (for us) 8-piece modular stage set that we purchased from Six Flags when they were revamping their Crystal Pistol stage show, our ever-present, huge and flashing “Berkeley’s Broadway Babies” neon sign, our 20′ tall glittering slit drape, a new wardrobe of gorgeous costumes many of which were handmade by my mom, Joan and, I’m serious, when you came to see this show, it was Vegas, Baby!
It was hot in Atlanta in June of 1986. On the morning of our 2nd annual dance recital we moved back in to the Center Stage only to find that fans at a Susie and the Banshees concert the previous evening had had more fun than a barrel of banshees! Working at whirlwind speed, we managed to clean the place up and have the stage beautifully adorned with all of the various props and glitz by the time the children arrived for dress rehearsal that afternoon. And, the show went on!
Act I revisited the “Cotton Club” with classic pieces from our repertoire…
In the roles of the Juvenile & the Ingenue
our own
Mr. Berkeley & Miss Starr
“Le Jazz Hot”
Starr & Bobby
tuning in
to
The Duke Ellington Cotton Club Orchestra
Too pooped to pop
after Darling Donna’s Rousing Rendition of
a vintage favorite
The Chair Dance
Act II was all new and featured our beginner students in a tribute to the popular Broadway musical, “Cats.”
Our Cats backdrop of a backyard alley at midnight was designed and painted by Denis.
The Babie Wabies as Kittie Witties!
Act III was a show within a show, opening with our beautiful “That’s Dancing,” followed by a balletic salute to George Gershwin and ending on a very high note with our trademark Tap Drill danced to “Opus One” – a nine minute piece that incorporated every single, single-sound, double-sound & triple-sound element of tap in every which way, plus some!!
BERKELEY’S BROADWAY BABIES
“THAT’S DANCING”
The most glamorous Leading Lady ever!
Ellen
Practicing her Movie Star Ankle before making her entrance as our Mistress of Ceremonies!
Junior Training Line
Junior Company
Senior Training Line
Senior Company
Lovely Miss Laura & Mr. Berkeley
Elementary Company backstage before their entrance!!
“That’s Dancing!”
Mr. Berkeley fluffing tutus before the Gershwin Ballets!
Senior Company
Senior Training Line
Junior Company
Junior Training Line
Miss Starr
&
Mr. Berkeley
take turns
Leading the Tap Drill to “Opus One”
After our Curtain Call to “Footloose”…
Student Recognition Awards
The partners congratulate each other on a job well done!
Later that evening, Bobby, Ellen, Denis and I left the Center Stage and crossed over West Peachtree Street where we found a table in the piano bar at Joelle’s and sat down for the first time in many, many hours. Bobby was still wearing his “That’s Dancing” costume. For most dance studios, the recital’s Finale means that the past season is in the bag. For Atlanta Charisma, the summer of 1986 saw some of our busiest dancing days ever. Our dance cards were full! And around that table, on that steamy night in Georgia we mapped out our upcoming dancing adventures…
The Heart ~ The Beat ~ That Starts ~ The Feet,
Starr
