A place to go. Somewhere where you can just be and express yourself—with no hassles. Maybe meet others kind of like you. When you're a little bit different, a place like that can feel truly heaven sent. Such a place, an underground dance club and LGBTQ+ safe haven in West LA during 1970s, is the fictional setting of "Paradise Ballroom," a new musical in development that was cocreated by visionary dancer and choreographer Princess Lockerooo and will be presented by New York Stage and Film on August 4, 5 and 6 at Marist College for the launch of the company's new "Stories That Move" series of dance-driven musicals.
The internationally known Lockerooo (born Samara Cohen in New York) is revered as "the Queen of Waacking" and has collaborated with such famed names as Madonna, Jody Watley, and Icona Pop. Waacking is a frenetic, dazzling style of street dance created in LA's gay clubs in the '70s that was nearly wiped out in the 1980s by the AIDS crisis that felled so many of its originators. "Waacking is very expressive, very confident—it makes you feel free when you do it," says Lockerooo, who takes her name from locking, one of the 1980s street styles she specialized in before being mentored in waacking by one of its pioneers, former "Soul Train" dancer Tyrone Power. "Paradise Ballroom" centers on the character of Teddy, who escapes his oppressive hometown to find freedom and community as a club dancer. But when a dubious producer promises him fame in exchange for turning against his sincerity and newfound family, he finds himself faced with some tough choices. The show's book and lyrics were written by Lockerooo, while its music penned was by composer Harold O'Neal.
Lockerooo is by no means the only big name involved in this year's NYSAF summer season. August 5 and 6 will bring the world premiere of "Like They Do in the Movies," a one-man show written and performed by the award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got to Do with It?, The Matrix trilogy, Apocalypse Now, "Thurgood," "Two Trains Running") and directed by Leonard Foglia ("Master Class," "Wait Until Dark," "Thurgood"). The season will begin on July 14 with a kickoff concert and reception starring Tony-nominated musical theater writer and performer Joe Iconis ("Be More Chill," "Love in Hate Nation," "Broadway Bounty Hunter") and his family of performers. The evening will feature new numbers, works-in-process, and favorite Iconis tunes. And "A Wrinkle in Time," a new musical adapted from the Madeleine L'Engle novel by the team of Lauren Yee (book), Heather Christian (music and lyrics), and Lee Sunday Evans (director), is being workshopped by NYSAF and will be staged on July 21 and 22.
"I want people to feel empowered, to explore their own self-expression," says Lockerooo about her contribution to the series. "To feel connected, curious, and understanding toward others."
The New York Stage and Film 2023 Summer Season will take place from July 14 through August 6 at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. See website for schedule, tickets and ticket prices, and other information.
