Running time: approx. 80 min.
Lamondance respectfully acknowledges that our show takes place on the traditional unceded territories of the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh), Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
We are honored to live, work, and play on this land together.
A Message from the Artistic Director
Welcome, and thank you for coming to our performance of A Winter's Twist. A reimagined contemporary dance show inspired by the beloved classic "Romeo and Juliet" for the winter holidays — a flurry of love, winter glee, breathtaking fun, and lovable characters.
Reimagining Rome & Juliet for the winter holidays came with the wish to create an inclusive show for the whole family to enjoy. Keeping the foundation of the original story and transporting it to a new world was a joy but also an essential step as we bring so many important topics of today's society reflecting the diverse issues that people around the world are grappling with, such as Social Justice, Equity, Mental Health, Economic Inequality, Acceptance.
A Winter’s Twist unifies two distinguished art forms: Dance and Theatre. Creating this magical world and witnessing the dancers wholeheartedly embracing the production has been an incredible journey.
Creativity is our DNA. For the past 15 years, Lamondance has created an inclusive creative space where emerging artists can explore, learn, and share their artistic voices, providing them the tools to navigate the world and become professional dance artists.
Enjoy the show!
Davi Rodrigues / Artistic Director of Lamondance
Act 1
Once upon a time, there was a girl called Juliet, and her love for the holiday winter season grew every day.
One night before Christmas, Juliet goes to the city and gets herself looking through the window of an interesting house. She sees a beautiful Christmas tree, which she could never have as her family never celebrated the holidays.
Juliet did not notice the arrival of Romeo. Unlike Juliet's family, Romeo's family is passionate about the winter holiday season; their Christmas trees are always up.
Romeo gets himself looking at this beautiful girl he has never seen in his life. In a blink of an eye, they fall in love with each other. Romeo and Juliet's family arrive; as we know, these two families have been sworn enemies for centuries.
Romeo and Juliet were taken apart from each other. To escape from the war started by their families, Romeo & Juliet followed the bright light beyond the door, not knowing where it would take them. They arrived at the white forest, full of long white trees and mysterious sounds.
Before they knew it, a pack of wolves and menacing magical trees were attacking the lovers! Just as the forest began to close in on them, Romeo and Juliet were saved by the Twisted, who appeared at the last minute with a magical snowy gust of wind that blew away all of the icy wolves and trees! The lovers were safe at last!
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Written and Choreographed by Davi Rodrigues
Music: Philippe Leduc and Maria Bonzanigo, Jean-François Côté and René Dupéré, Ennio Morricone.
Additional music: Murray Grant
1st Announcement voice Pre-show: Davi Rodrigues
2nd Announcement voice: Murray Grant
The Twisted: Daryk Richards (Dec 12 & 13) and Nali Richards (School Show)
Juliet: Elena Himbeault (Dec 12th), Oksana Maslechko (Dec 13), Dania Grant (School Show)
Romeo: Benedict Quedenbaum (Dec 12 and School Show) and Lazaro Silva (Dec 13)
Party girls: Zara Holliday-Scott, Kiara Berar, Alisa Yunoue, Elizabeth Rodindell, Arisa Mohseni, Valerie Cheng.
Romeo's Mother 1: Sidney Poulton, Nali Richards, Arianna Savady
Romeo's Mother 2 and Father: Anna Rodriguez, Benedict Quedenbaum, Lazaro Silva
Romeo's Family: Nancy Li, Arianna Savady, Nancy Li, Paris Litnosky, Francesca Vergara, Anna Rodriguez
Juliet's Father: Angelie Camache, Nancy Li, Reese Swisher
Juliet's Mother: Oksana Maslechko, Elena Himbeault,
Juliet’s Family: Olivia Cesarano, Dania Grant, Elena Himbeault, Kaitlyn Zarin, Andrea Isea Galindo, Charlotte Fyfe.
Wolves: Sidney Poulton, Dania Grant, Angelie Gamache, Ursula Blanchard, Francesca Vergara, Kaitlyn Zarin, Andrea Isea Galindo, Reese Swisher, Charlotte Fyfe, Jordan Mortimer, Arianna Savady.
INTERMISSION
(15 min)
ACT 2
Romeo & Juliet arrived upon a magical lake, greeted by extraordinary polar bears, mystical and comical creatures, and finally, the twisted. Plenty of events took place at the lake, much to Romeo & Juliet's entertainment!
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Music: Mikael Karlsson, Alan Watts, Only Men Aloud!, Pato Fú
Additional music: Murray Grant and Matt Bryce
Baton solo choreography by Alexandra Pickrell
Polar Bears: Alisa Yunoue, Arisa Mohseni, Avalyn Howiitt, Brinsley Shields, Elizabeth Rodindell, Isla Flanagan, Isla Gutmanis, Kiara Berar, Meredith Marcoux, Peyton Smelser, Savanna Stanbury, Sophie Kolda, Valerie Cheng, Zara Holliday-Scott
Snowball, Wedding creatures: Francesca Vergara, Kaitlyn Zarin, Dania Grant, Reese Swisher, Sydney Poulton, Ursula Blanchar, Andrea Isea Galindo, Arianna Savady, Anna Rodriguez, Angelie Gamache.
Deadly Flowers: Lazaro Silva/Oksana Maslechko, Benedict Quedenbaum/Sidney Poulton
Goddess of Love: Alexandra Pickrell
Ring Bearing Creatures: Charlotte Fyfe, Paris Litnoski, Jordan Mortimer, Nancy Li, Arianna Savady, Reese Swisher, Andrea Isea Galindo, Olivia Cesarano, Kaitlyn Zarin
Thanks and Acknowledgement
I want to thank the dancers for their trust, energy and constant sharing of ideas during the remount process of A Winter's Twist. Thank you to the dancers for their unconditional devotion to our organization; the show would not have been possible without their dedication, they have been involved with so many things starting from dancing, organizing props and costumes and so much more. Thank you to the incredible team of mentors/teachers, and collaborators who work with Lamondance throughout the creative process. A Huge Thank you to Murray Grant for the support with our music Score. Thank you, Jenn Savady, and Krista Beech, Camel Dance for helping with our costumes. Thank you to Adrián Ortega for the fantastic pictures.
Thank you to our board of directors and lovely volunteers for the tremendous work behind the scenes.
Special thanks to Brianna Giles and the RNB Dance; Thank you to Pulse Dance Centre, RNB Dance, Deas Island Dance, Simply Ballet, and Vella Academy of Dancing for allowing their dancers to participate in the show—finally, a huge thanks to Brad Trenaman, Chantele Fry, and the Staff at Centennial Theatre.
SUPPORTERS
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia. The City of North Vancouver & the District of North Vancouver through the Arts & Culture Grants Program of the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission, Capilano University and RNB Dance for their Artistic Support.
Lamondance Team
Artistic Director, show writer and choreographer: Davi Rodrigues
Set Designer & Costumes: Davi Rodrigues
Light designer: Brad Trenaman
Stage Manager: Chantele Fry
Rehearsal Director / Mentor : Margarida Macieira
Rehearsal Assistant: Oksana Maslechko
Production assistant: Payton Kennedy
Photos by Adrian Ortega
Outreach & Admin: Sebastiàn Ortiz
Dance Faculty
Linda Arkelian, Sarah Hutton, Sarah Brewer, David Secunda, Nicolas Ventura, TJ Cooke, Hannah Sim, Davi Rodrigues.
Board of Trustees
Amber Poulton, Carli Kennedy, Charlotte Aurela Edgson, Erik Whyte, Mark Lawrence, and Greice Secretti Bertoncello.
If you enjoy our show and want to continue to see Lamondance producing high-quality shows, consider donating to our organization. with your help, we can continue to provide our professional dancers and contemporary training program a better future here in North Vancouver.
Dancers Bios
To get to know more about our dancers, click on the link below
Lamondance Professional Dance Company *
Lamondance Contemporary Training Program
If you enjoy our show and want to continue to see Lamondance producing high quality shows, consider donating to our organization. With your help we can continue to provide our professional dancers and contemporary training program a better future here in North Vancouver.