It’s West Side Story, with a bit of a twist.
And some tap.
And plenty of flair.
Karen Flamenco is set to recreate a classic romantic tragedy by presenting its own take on the popular 1957 Broadway hit, in collaboration with Troy Mclaughlin Tap collective.
Flamenco and tap dance styles feud to bring this classic romantic tragedy to life at the Vancouver Playhouse, Nov. 28 and 29.
Although it’s a combination audiences won’t likely have seen before, the two styles of dance mesh well, said Langley’s Patrick Arnott, who will be lacing up his tap shoes for the Jets.
Because flamenco, like tap, involves a lot of percussive foot work and quick movement, the styles are complimentary, he explained.
Adding in the expressive upper body movement of flamenco, the distinction between the two sides will be apparent, he added.
However, the atypical dance styles won’t be the only thing audiences notice is a bit different about this version of West Side Story, Arnott noted.
There will also be no singing.
“We’re telling the story through our feet, with instrumental music, which certainly adds a different aspect,” Arnott said.
“I think my director said it best when he called it a percussive ballet.
“I think it speaks for itself. It’s quite unique.”
Arnott, a 19-year-old Langley Fine Arts School graduate spent some time in Toronto after finishing high school, before returning to the Lower Mainland to study with ITP (Intensive Training Program) through the Harbour Dance Centre.
Now with Source Dance Company — also based out of the Harbour Dance Centre — Arnott counts a number of styles among his personal repertoire — from tap, hip hop, contemporary and jazz, to broadway and ballet. He also sings.
Although there was a time, the young performer had his eye on a career on Broadway, his goal today is more general. He’d simply like to have a career in the performing arts.
“The idea is to keep training and keep up on my dancing,” he said.
Karen Flamenco: West Side Story
Tickets :$37
Performances: Nov. 28 and 29 at 7 p.m.
Venue: Vancouver Playhouse, 601 Hamilton Street at Dunsmuir
Tickets: karenflamenco.com
