Axelrod’s Contemporary Ballet Theater Celebrates Musicals with “Something’s Coming”

(OCEAN, NJ) — Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT) returns to the Axelrod PAC stage the weekend of April 8-10 with sequels from West Side Story, An American in Paris, The Sound of Music and more in a new show called “Something’s Coming.” Under the direction of AXCBT director Gabriel Chajnik, “Something’s Coming” will capture iconic moments from 10 favorite musicals. The cast includes more than a dozen dancers from AXCBT Company as well as special guest dancers from Sarasota Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, The Ailey School and others.

“We capture the most exciting moments from favorite musicals and perform the dances and songs live on stage,” says Chajnik. “My choreography pays homage to some of the great creators, like Gene Kelly and Jerome Robbins, but with a contemporary flair that reflects my own vision and passion for this music. This is real American music at its best – George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers – all composers who wrote for singers and dancers too.

Chajnik invited David Smolokoff, another Juilliard graduate tenor (who played Tony in Axelrod’s production of West Side Story) and soprano Evy Ortiz (Maria on national tour of West Side Story) to sing some of those iconic Hollywood songs. The show has something for everyone, from Israeli folk dancing to salsa to classical ballet.

“‘Something’s Coming’ is a timely celebration of the musical,” says Axelrod Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco. “The musical was dormant for a few decades until Rob Marshall’s film Chicago go to the big screen. More recently we saw Jon Chu’s In the heights and Lin-Manuel Miranda Tick, tick…BOOM! film, not to mention this year’s Oscar nominee West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. This AXCBT production will evoke favorite moments from some of the greatest musicals ever filmed.

“Something’s Coming” includes songs and sequels by West Side Story and An American in Paris as well as Fiddler on the Roof, Red Shoes, Brigadoon, Kiss Me, Kate and The genius. Audiences can expect to hear favorite songs such as “Tonight” and “Somewhere” by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, “Our Love Is Here to Stay” by George and Ira Gershwin, “De-Lovely” by Cole Porter, “The Sound of Music” and more!

“I love how many different types of roles we can play,” says AXCBT company artist Olivia Miranda. “One moment I’m dancing in character heels and the next I’m in pointe. I think this production really speaks to our versatility as dancers.

For an exciting dance experience, this new production from Axelrod’s own dance company is the perfect way to welcome spring! Performances are April 8 at 8:00 p.m.; April 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and April 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $26-54 at www.axcbt.org or call 732-531-9106, ext. 14. Group and student discounts are available. Visit the Axelrod main site for the latest Covid safety instructions. Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Avenue in Deal Park, New Jersey.

Photos courtesy of Forever Young Photography