Nicolas Dromard has worked his way up from ensemble to lead in two high-flying musicals: Wicked, in which he jumped from swing in the first national tour to an acclaimed run as Fiyero in the San Francisco production, and Mary Poppins, in which he progressed from swing in the original Broadway cast to a star turn as Mary’s chimney sweep pal Bert. As the show moves toward its March 3 closing date, Broadway.com chatted with the Canadian-born actor about his rising career and dream role.

How does it feel to come full circle with Mary Poppins and close out the Broadway run as Bert?
Amazing! It’s such an honor. At first we were shocked and sad that the show was closing, but six and a half years on Broadway is a great run. The show has an incredible message and makes audiences so happy. To be able to say that I was the final Bert on Broadway is a privilege.

What’s fun about playing Bert?
I think Bert is one of the best male roles on Broadway. He’s the narrator, he sets the mood, and he’s omnipresent—he’s constantly on stage dancing. In what other role can you tap dance on the ceiling?

Right! What’s that moment like?
It’s a roller coaster ride. “Step In Time” is my favorite part of show. There’s an adrenaline rush, and I get butterflies in my stomach each time. They clip me in, and I just go for it. It’s such an impressive stunt: I’m walking up a wall, and 30 seconds later I’m back down. It goes by so quickly! I wish it was longer.

You’ve danced on ceilings all over America. Does the New Amsterdam Theatre feel different?
The set is different on tour—the Banks’ home opens like a pop-up book, as opposed to the Broadway set, which is a three-story house! But coming back to New York was like riding a bike again.

What are your memories of playing Fiyero in the San Francisco company of Wicked?
It was so much fun. I left Poppins on Broadway in 2009 to join Wicked. Fiyero is a dream role because you get to kiss the blonde, you kiss the green, you swing on a rope and you take a bow! Bert is a beast of a role compared to Fiyero. It’s very physical.

You were also in the ensemble of The Boy From Oz a decade ago. Any good Hugh Jackman stories for us?
Just that he’s amazing and I want to work with him again. He’s so gung-ho; I’ve never seen someone work so hard. And his dressing room was always open—if your mom and dad came backstage after the show, he’d chat with them.

You were born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, and didn’t speak English until you were seven years old. Do you still speak fluent French?
Oh yeah, with my family. My grandmother doesn’t speak a word of English, but my parents do. They translated for the Canadian government.

At what age did you shed your French accent?
I still have a slight French accent, but I’m able to hide it. It still comes out when I’m tired or I’ve had a glass of wine or two.

You’ve played squeaky-clean roles for a stretch now. Any desire to be bad?
Of course! I’d love to be in Jersey Boys and play Tommy DeVito.    

The post What’s Up, Nicolas Dromard? Mary Poppins’ Remaining Bert on Kissing Depraved Witches and Dancing on the Ceiling | Broadway Buzz appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Thursday, Feb. 23. I’m Vanessa Franko, an assistant editor on the audience engagement team with a focus on arts and entertainment.

Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album was supposed to be a sonic beacon for dance floors around the world last summer.

And though the album was full of house bangers with more sparkle than a disco ball, there was a problem in getting people to the club: The Southland was in the middle of another COVID surge as well as a MPX outbreak.

“Last year we were all supposed to be back hitting dance floors,” Times music writer August Brown said. “Nobody got the chance to hit the town and go out in grand style like we had hoped for.”

That missed opportunity was the start of an idea. Brown and fellow music writers Kenan Draughorne and Suzy Exposito teamed up to compile a list of the best dance clubs in and around Los Angeles.

Together, they found 57 places to get out and get down — and to way more than just Beyoncé.

The list, an exclusive for Times subscribers that published this morning, spans ages, demographics and geography.

“There’s bottle service EDM in Orange County down to super horny gay raves to traditional regional Mexican dance hall music where you can put on your best line-dancing boots,” Brown said.

The team also wanted to highlight LGBTQ and Latin nightlife, including some new lesbian-themed club nights as well as drag clubs.

“If you can conceivably move your body to it, we found it and it’s in there,” Brown said.

Note that to make the list, the clubs and special nights needed to include a set location and nothing illegal, so you won’t find traveling warehouse raves here.

The list of boogie wonderlands also focuses on clubs with DJs rather than live bands. If you’re looking for the best live music venues in the region, check out our 2022 list of the best live music venues in and around L.A.

Of course, COVID and MPX, also known as monkeypox, are still out there, so consider your comfort level and take precautions if you’re planning to go out and boogie oogie oogie until you just can’t boogie no more.

And now, here’s what’s happening across California:

Note: Some of the sites we link to may limit the number of stories you can access without subscribing.

L.A. STORIES

Let it snow, let it snow, let it — wait, what? Southern California has received a blizzard warning, in effect Friday and Saturday for the region’s mountains. Snow could fall as low as 1,500 feet in a storm that is expected to also bring rain and sleet to the state from the Oregon border down to the deserts near Mexico. Meteorologists say this storm is unusual even for the weird winter we’ve had. Los Angeles Times

Do you want to build a snowman? We may not get enough snow for the kids to start reenacting “Frozen,” but if you have snow at your house, we want to see your pictures. Los Angeles Times

Check out “The Times” podcast for essential news and more

These days, waking up to current events can be, well, daunting. If you’re seeking a more balanced news diet, “The Times” podcast is for you. Gustavo Arellano, along with a diverse set of reporters from the award-winning L.A. Times newsroom, delivers the most interesting stories from the Los Angeles Times every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

State lawmakers are considering a cap on oil profits. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a penalty on oil companies. Government officials, consumer advocates and market experts gathered Wednesday for the first legislative hearing on Newsom’s proposal. Los Angeles Times

The balloon ban is on in Laguna Beach. The city adopted an ordinance Tuesday that prohibits balloons at city events, on public property and from being released into the air. It takes effect in 2024. Los Angeles Times

CRIME, COURTS AND POLICING

Nipsey Hussle’s killer has been sentenced to 60 years in prison. Eric Holder Jr., a Crips gang member, was convicted of first-degree murder in July for killing Hussle outside the beloved rapper’s Crenshaw clothing store in 2019. Los Angeles Times

Handyman is charged in the killing of L.A. Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell. Carlos Medina, a 61-year-old handyman whose wife worked as O’Connell’s housekeeper, was charged with one count of murder in the religious leader’s death. At a news conference Wednesday, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón said Medina admitted to the killing to investigators. Los Angeles Times

HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS

With a possible strike on the horizon, writers, studios, networks and producers are making contingency plans. The contract for members of the Writers Guild of America expires in May and negotiations are expected to be fraught. Los Angeles Times

There’s now a “crisis team” for the Oscars. In the wake of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at last year’s ceremony, Bill Kramer, chief executive of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said the academy will have a team in place to handle any future surprises. Time

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Tommy Bina inside the Canyon Country Store, which he’s owned since 1985.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

This grocery store is a shrine to L.A.’s musical history. Tommy Bina, owner of the Canyon Country Store, is determined “to bring back the spirit of Laurel Canyon.” Los Angeles Times

The clock tower on San Francisco’s Ferry Building is covered in scaffolding. The city landmark is undergoing a paint job expected to last until the fall. When it’s done, the building won’t be as blue, either. The current look is a result of poor aging of the previous paint job, which happened before the building was reborn in 2003. San Francisco Chronicle

If you’ve ever wanted to have a vanity plate to show off your wealth, your time is now. Claude Arthur Stuart Hamrick, a former patent lawyer in Silicon Valley, has had the license plate “CASH” for more than 50 years. Now he’s selling it, for $2 million. Mercury News

Free online games

Get our free daily crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search and arcade games in our new game center at latimes.com/games.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California landmark is the Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes National Seashore from David Hayashida:

The Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes National Seashore

(David Hayashida)

The natural diversity of the Point Reyes National Seashore is remarkable. During a visit last spring, I saw elephant seals and their pups, migrating whales and carpets of wildflowers while hiking Chimney Rock; marveled at nesting federally threatened Western snowy plovers at North Beach; and took in the quiet beauty of the Cypress Tree Tunnel before heading home, recharged.

What are California’s essential landmarks? Fill out this form to send us your photos of a special spot in California — natural or human-made. Tell us why it’s interesting and what makes it a symbol of life in the Golden State. Please be sure to include only photos taken directly by you. Your submission could be featured in a future edition of the newsletter.

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com.

The post The place to go dancing in L.A. and past appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The Mayoress of San Francisco comes under fire after she was accused of breaking her own COVID rules while dancing maskless in a crowded nightclub. On Thursday evening, Mayor of London celebrated Breed without covering his face at the Black Cat Club – and someone recorded everything on tape. CBS5 KPIX reports that the mayor is now defending her behavior. “We don’t need the funny police force coming in to micromanage us and tell us what to do or not to do,” said Breed. She insists that she obeyed her town’s health codes because she was actively drinking at the time; ergo no masks were necessary. But video footage shows her getting up to dance. “I got up and started dancing because I felt the ghost and wasn’t thinking of a mask,” said Breed. In the previous weeks, she had warned San Francisco residents to avoid large gatherings. Breed previously faced controversy after attending the infamous French Laundry Dinner with California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Read it below CBS5 KPIX

The post San Francisco Mayor London Breed Defends Dancing Maskless at Crowded Nightclub appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

ABC revealed the cast for Season 29 of “Dancing With the Stars” on Tuesday, with “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin, “Selling Sunset’s” Chrishell Stause and “Catfish” host Nev Schulman set to compete on the ballroom dancing competition next month.

Other cast members include Nelly, “One Day at a Time” star Justina Machado, “Cheer” coach Monica Aldama, Kaitlyn Bristowe of the “Bachelor” franchise, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, former NBA player Charles Oakley, and former Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir. See the full cast list and bios below.

The new season of “Dancing With the Stars” is set to premiere Monday, Sept. 14 on ABC.

Also Read: ABC Sets Fall Premiere Dates for ‘The Bachelorette,’ ‘Supermarket Sweep,’ Other Unscripted Series

Returning pros include Sharna Burgess and Keo Motsepe, who will be joined by new professional ballroom dancers Britt Stewart and Daniella Karagach. The other pros who will compete on the new season are Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Cheryl Burke, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Peta Murgatroyd, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko and Emma Slater.

The list of pairs will be revealed on the season premiere, which will also mark the debut of the show’s new host, Tyra Banks. The “America’s Next Top Model” and “America’s Got Talent” host will bring a “fresh take on the competition,” according to ABC, as she takes over for outgoing hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews and joins the series as an executive producer.

Also Read: ‘Dancing With the Stars’: Tyra Banks to Replace Tom Bergeron as Host

Check out the promo above and learn more about Season 29’s cast:

MONICA ALDAMA – One of the most successful athletic coaches in the country, Monica Aldama became an overnight sensation after starring in the hit Netflix docu-series “Cheer,” which chronicles her tremendous leadership in building one of the country’s most successful cheerleading programs from the ground up. Celebrated for her hallmark phrase, “You keep going until you get it right, then keep going until you can’t get it wrong,” Aldama is her students’ biggest advocate, always encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves. She has been with Navarro College for 25 years and has led the cheer squad to win 14 national championships, and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Navarro College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. A true force and inspiration that has captured the hearts of the world, she brings her empowering messages on leadership, resilience, teamwork and success to audiences worldwide. Aldama also shares messages of inclusivity and acceptance, drawing on her experiences working with racially diverse, LGBTQ+ and low-income students in an insular, small town.

CAROLE BASKIN – Carole Baskin is the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, the world’s most influential, accredited rescue facility for exotic cats. She and her family volunteer for the Tampa-based nonprofit as unpaid staff and have 100+ volunteers and a dozen interns from around the world. Successfully rehabilitating and releasing a number of bobcats and other native animals since 1992, Baskin and the organization have been featured on CNN, Animal Planet, Discovery, People Magazine, “The Today Show,” Sports Illustrated, local media outlets and many more national and international programs. She also recently gained public attention in “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” Netflix’s documentary series about Oklahoma-based private zoo operator Joe Exotic in a true murder-for-hire story from the underworld of big cat breeding. Over the years, Baskin has lectured in Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Brazil, Australia and countless cities across the U.S. as the host of Big Cat Rescue’s Cat Chat Show, a live interview with cat experts from around the world. Additionally, she lectures at universities, law colleges and in numerous animal association conferences on cage construction, legislative affairs and sanctuary standards.

KAITLYN BRISTOWE – From the small town of Leduc, Alberta, Canada, to the global stage, Kaitlyn Bristowe is the Canadian girl making waves – in a big way. Perhaps the most controversial and well-liked Bachelorette to date, Bristowe started out with big dreams and ballet shoes. Since the end of her season of the hit ABC series “The Bachelorette,” Bristowe has taken the social media world by storm (with 1.8 million loyal Instagram followers) and continues to showcase her personality and unique perspective with KaitlynBristowe.com. She has launched Dew Edit, a stylish hair accessories line; her own line of wine, Spade & Sparrows; her own digital series; and a country-pop song, which reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts within the first 24 hours of release. Her notoriously unapologetic style has landed her appearances on major network talk shows, including the likes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Good Morning America” and “Entertainment Tonight.”

VERNON DAVIS – Vernon Davis is a former American football tight end. The 15-year NFL veteran was selected by the San Francisco 49ers sixth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and played his first 10 seasons with the 49ers. He joined his hometown team, the Washington Redskins, in 2016 and spent four seasons there before retiring after the 2019-2020 season. Off the field, Davis is a budding entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist and actor. Davis owns multiple Jamba Juice franchises in Northern California. He also has his very own supplement company, Timeless; is the co-owner of Q-Collar Innovations; and the co-owner and marketing advisor for Pescavor Jerky. In addition, he is partnered in PathWater as well as RASA. In addition, Davis is a limited partner of Next Play Capital. In 2012, Davis created the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts as a way to promote art education and art appreciation among youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2019, VDFA evolved into the Vernon Davis Foundation, which services at-risk youth of all interests and demographics. Davis played roles in movies such as “Baywatch” (2017), which starred Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, and “Hell on the Border” (2019). His latest role will be the male lead in the upcoming thriller “Red Winter.”

ANNE HECHE – Anne Heche is an accomplished Emmy® Award-winning actor with a wide-ranging body of work. Heche can currently be seen in “The Vanished,” where she co-stars with Thomas Jane. Other recent feature films include “Best of Enemies,” where she starred opposite Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell, and “My Friend Dahmer.” Heche also starred in Lionsgate feature film “Wild Card,” opposite Jason Statham. She followed that with the films “Catfight,” opposite Sandra Oh and Alicia Silverstone; “The Last Word,” opposite Amanda Seyfried and Shirley Mclaine; and “Opening Night” with Topher Grace, Taye Diggs and Rob Riggle. Heche’s television credits include a starring role on “Chicago PD” as Katherine Brennan. Before that, she starred as Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Patricia Campbell, on the NBC series “The Brave.” Heche co-created, executive produced and wrote for the NBC series “Bad Judge,” starring Kate Walsh. Heche has three Emmy nominations and one win. She was nominated for a Tony® for Best Performance by a Leading Actress for her performance as Lily Garland in “Twentieth Century.”

SKAI JACKSON – At the age of 18, Skai Jackson has already been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s inaugural Top 30 Stars Under 18 List, Variety’s Youth Impact Report, been deemed one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential Teens and was listed among EBONY’s Power 100 honorees. Jackson became a household name after her starring role as Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel hit series “Jessie” as well as the spinoff series “BUNK’D.” Her performance earned Jackson a 2016 NAACP Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Youth. Jackson is a passionate advocate for anti-bullying and is quickly becoming a role model for younger generations using her large following to stand up to bullies on social media. She hopes to continue to do so with her first memoir, “Reach for The Skai: How to Inspire, Empower and Clapback,” which was released last year.

JUSTINA MACHADO – A talented and versatile actress, Justina Machado continues to endear audiences and earn critical acclaim for her work on stage, television and film. Machado currently stars in the hit comedy “One Day at a Time,” opposite Rita Moreno. Machado stars as Penelope, a newly single war veteran, raising her two children with the help of her mother. In 2018, Machado earned her first Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination, for her portrayal of Penelope Alvarez. She was also awarded an Imagen Foundation Award for Best Actress and the show won for Best Comedy. Machado is perhaps most well-known for her role as Vanessa Diaz in HBO’s “Six Feet Under.” Additionally, Machado appeared alongside Gina Rodriguez in the fourth season of CW’s Emmy Award-nominated comedy series, “Jane the Virgin” and voiced the character Carmen in Disney’s animated series “Elena of Avalor.” In 2009, Machado made her Broadway debut in the Tony® Award-winning musical “In the Heights,” starring Lin-Manuel Miranda. In 2010, Machado joined the production of award-winning director George C. Wolfe’s “A Free Man of Color.”

JEANNIE MAI – Emmy® Award-winning host Jeannie Mai can be seen each weekday on the nationally syndicated talk show “The Real” and on ABC’s hit summer series “Holey Moley.” Mai serves as a sideline correspondent for the extreme mini-golf competition series. In 2018, Mai and her fellow “The Real”  co-hosts received a Daytime Emmy  Award  for Outstanding Talk Show Host. A style expert and producer, Mai recently launched her web series titled “Hello Hunnay,” which takes fans on her journey through fashion, fitness, finances and relationships. Mai also hosts the podcast “Listen Hunnay.” Deeply committed to charities that advance women’s interests, Mai serves as a board member for various organizations, including Dress for Success and Same Sky. As a first-generation daughter of immigrant Vietnamese and Chinese parents, Mai strives to give back to her homeland by traveling to Asia to volunteer her time with organizations dedicated to helping those who are less fortunate. For the last several years, she has served as an advocate to fight human trafficking and has been an ambassador for the Pacific Links Foundation, Step Up, Nightlight International,  Not For Sale  and Heartbeat Vietnam. In 2017, Mai executive produced “Stopping Traffic: The Movement to End Sex Trafficking,” a documentary that investigates the international crisis of human sex trafficking from a deeply personal point of view. She is currently working on the follow-up.

AJ McLEAN – For 27 years, AJ McLean has been a part of the Backstreet Boys, one of the most successful groups in music history. He may be a legend of the ’90s boyband era, but McLean has always been a cultural vanguard. A multiple award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated performer, McLean has continually delivered the finest pop music one has to offer – tightly crafted songs, floor-shaking rhythms and unmistakable harmonies – making him one of pop’s most influential performers. Along with the other members, McLean received a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, performed for the president of the United States, and made an unforgettable appearance in the Seth Rogen hit film “This Is The End,” which earned the guys a Best Musical Moment award at the MTV Movie Awards. McLean’s work with BSB has gone gold and platinum in 46 countries; the group’s first nine albums all debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 100, and the Los Angeles Times recently raved “the Boys’ talents … will survive almost any pop-culture apocalypse.”

JESSE METCALFE – One of the busiest actors in Hollywood, Jesse Metcalfe is clearly among its most coveted stars. Most recently, Metcalfe was seen as the lead in action-packed thriller “Hard Kill,” opposite Bruce Willis. On television, he continues to be featured (and contribute original songs) as former country star Trace Riley of the popular Hallmark family drama “Chesapeake Shores.” Last year, his presence drew audiences to two action films including the thriller “Escape Plan 2: Hades” with Sylvester Stallone and the horror flick “The Ninth Passenger.” In 2006, Metcalfe showcased his comedy chops as the title character in the 20th Century Fox feature “John Tucker Must Die.” Metcalfe recently portrayed a bachelor on the Hallmark Channel’s original holiday movie “Christmas Next Door,” and a country music sensation on the network’s original romantic drama “A Country Wedding.” Metcalfe is well remembered for his breakout role as forbidden teen lover John Rowland opposite Eva Longoria on the Golden Globe®-winning ABC series “Desperate Housewives.” He earned a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Performance-Male and shared a SAG Award for Best Television Comedy Ensemble. He is also active in several charities including North Texas Food Bank, The Go Campaign, Weingart Foundation and UNICEF.

NELLY – Diamond-selling, multiplatinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor Nelly has continually raised the bar for the entertainment industry since stepping on the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality. Currently, Nelly has again topped the country music charts with a collaboration with Kane Brown, “Cool Again,” and hit the No. 1 spot with “Good Times Roll” with Jimmie Allen. Some of his other hits include “Hot in Here”; “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland; “Country Grammar”; “Ride Wit Me”; “Just a Dream”; “Cruise”; “The Fix” sampling Marvin Gaye; and summer sixteen’s dance anthem “Millionaire” with Cash Cash and Digital Animal Farm. He has won three GRAMMY Awards, released six top-selling studio albums, and graced both the small and big screens alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, as well as played himself in BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood” with Kevin Hart. Nelly’s “Country Grammar” album and his song “Cruise,” his collaboration with Florida Georgia Line, both achieved diamond status in 2016; and he is only one of seven rappers to reach this honor. He is also the CEO of his own label Derrty Ent. and co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan. Nelly supports Make a Wish and is the only rapper/music artist to own his own college, EI University, which provides education surrounding the music industry and personally provides scholarships for students.

CHARLES OAKLEY – Charles Oakley is a basketball legend and one of the most beloved Knicks players of all time. The ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft, Oakley went on to play 19 years in the NBA, 10 of which were with the New York Knicks – and all 10 of which the Knicks made the playoffs. Oakley was named to the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1994. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1986 and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1998. As a power forward, he ranked as one of the best rebounders in the NBAand was known for his tough defense, such that he is often referred to as “The Enforcer.” Most importantly, he was beloved by his teammates and always respected by his fellow competitors. Oakley is now a player and coach for the Killer 3s in the NBA Big3 Basketball League. Alongside his playing and coaching, Oakley’s dedication to giving back to the community and passion for cooking led him to start the Charles Oakley Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is focused on helping impoverished and underprivileged communities through direct impact projects with the mission to #OakOutHunger. He has long been an advocate for the cause of hunger relief and has cooked and served thousands of meals as a part of the Foundation’s 2020 Feed America Campaign.

NEV SCHULMAN – Nev Schulman is an American producer, photographer and TV host. He is best known for the 2010 documentary film “Catfish” and the follow-up TV series “Catfish: The TV Show,” of which he is the host and executive producer on MTV. Aside from his impressive entertainment career, Schulman spends time supporting local organizations and charities in New York City and nationwide. He served on the youth board for the Canadian-based organization Leave Out Violence and hosted the annual Dance Against Cancer. In 2014, Schulman published his first book, “In Real Life: Love, Lies & Identity in the Digital Age,” in which he gives both personal history and observations gleaned from his work on “Catfish.” “Catfish” is more than just a popular TV series, but it is a commentary on our society today. It was because of Schulman and older brother Rel Schulman that the phrase became so widely understood today and has since been added to The Merriam Webster Dictionary. Schulman and his wife, Laura Perlongo, host the Facebook series called “We Need to Talk.” Additionally, Schulman and Laura have created series of socially focused videos online (around issues like parental leave and gender roles) which have garnered over 250 million views.

CHRISHELL STAUSE – Chrishell Stause is from Kentucky and can most recently be seen starring in “Selling Sunset​,” an original docu-series for Netflix. A realtor in the high-end luxury market, the show follows Stause breaking into the industry. In addition, Stause has made herself a known name in the daytime community. She has starred on “All My Children,” “The Young and the Restless” and as Jordan Ridgeway on “Days of Our Lives,” which earned her a Daytime Emmy® Award nomination this year for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series. She also recently starred in the Netflix thriller “​Staged Killer​.” In her spare time, Stause is very active in her charity work. Having experienced being homeless at times growing up, she is passionate about raising money and volunteering at Upward Bound House. It is an organization committed to eliminating homelessness among families with children by providing housing, supportive services and advocacy. For more information, please visit ​upwardboundhouse.org.

JOHNNY WEIR – Johnny Weir is one of the superstars of figure skating and a pop-culture icon. Born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, he is a two time U.S. Olympian, three time U.S. National Figure Skating Champion, 2008 World bronze medalist, two time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist and the 2001 World Junior Figure Skating Champion, as well as NBC’s lead figure skating commentator, ambassador to the Olympic Games and cultural icon. Weir is known for his commentary and provocative style during NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl, National Dog Show and Beverly Hills Dog Show. He’s also known for producing and starring in the award-winning, Epix-produced 2014 documentary film, “To Russia With Love”; and for producing and starring in “Be Good Johnny Weir,” and hosting the Facebook Watch series “Trading Faces.” Most recently, Weir starred as Gabe in the Netflix drama “Spinning Out” and hosted Food Network’s “Wedding Cake Championship.” He continues his role as Winter Village Skating Ambassador for Bryant Park in New York City, commentating for NBC’s coverage of the 2019-2020 figure skating season, and dazzling audiences with his skating while on tour around the world.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Career Bump: 12 Contestants Who Got Biggest Boost (Photos)

• From Kim Kardashian to Alfonso Ribeiro, TheWrap takes a look at the celebrities who have gone on to bigger and better things.

  ABC
  

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  Kim Kardashian  

  When Kim Kardashian was on Season 7 of “Dancing With the Stars,” “Keeping up With the Kardashians” was just a year old, but it went on to become one of the most successful franchises in reality TV history.

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  Mark Cuban 
  

  After his stint on Season 5 of “Dancing With the Stars,” Cuban went from regular billionaire to famous billionaire when he became one of the investors on ABC’s hit “Shark Tank.”

  ABC
  

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  Julianne Hough/Derek Hough 
  

  “Dancing With the Stars'” most successful alums weren’t even stars before they were on the show. Brother-sister duo Derek and Julianne Hough entered the show as professional dancers, but have since branched out into their own acting careers. Julianne also took on the role of judge on the show beginning with Season 19.

  ABC
  

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  Brooke Burke-Charvet 
  

  Brooke Burke-Charvet won the seventh season of ABC’s reality competition series in 2008 then parlayed that success into a nine-season run as co-host of the show.

  ABC
  

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  Erin Andrews 
  

  Like Burke-Chavert before her, Andrews went from “DWTS” alum to co-host when she assumed the role for Season 18. Andrews also assumed several new roles as a sportscaster for Fox Sports.

  ABC
  

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  Lisa Rinna 
  

  Daytime soap vet Lisa Rinna competed in the second season of “DWTS,” finishing in fourth place. Since then, she’s gone on to a fruitful reality TV career, including her role as one of the regulars on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

  ABC
  

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  Jennie Garth 
  

  “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Jennie Garth finished in fourth place on Season 5 of “DWTS,” then went on to star in the CW’s “90210” revival the following year.

  ABC
  

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  Candace Cameron Bure 
  

  “Full House” star took home the bronze in Season 18, then wrote a book about the experience, called “Dancing Through Life.” She also serves as a host on the ABC daytime talk show “The View” and will star in the Netflix sequel series “Fuller House.”

  ABC
  

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  Melissa Joan Hart  

  In 2009, Melissa Joan Hart competed on Season 9 of “Dancing With the Stars,” and in 2010 she made her return to TV in ABC Family’s “Melissa and Joey” alongside Joey Lawrence (who also competed in Season 3). 

  ABC
  

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  Kellie Pickler 
  

  “American Idol” vet Kellie Pickler put her reality TV experience to use on Season 16, this time walking away a winner. In 2015, Pickler and her husband Kyle Jacobs scored a CMT reality series called “I Love Kellie Pickler.”

  ABC
  

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  Alfonso Ribeiro 
  

  “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alum Alfonso Ribeiro won Season 19 of “Dancing With the Stars,” then went on to take over for Tom Bergeron as host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” in 2015.

  ABC
  

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  Bobby Bones 

  The country-music radio host won Season 27 in fall 2018 despite landing the second lowest scores in the final 4 with partner Sharna Burgess — and then parlayed that appearance into a full-time mentor role on ABC’s “American Idol” reboot. He even subbed in as host in April 2019 when Ryan Seacrest was too sick to tape the live show.

  ABC
  

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From Kim Kardashian to Alfonso Ribeiro, TheWrap takes a look at the celebrities who have gone on to bigger and better things

From Kim Kardashian to Alfonso Ribeiro, TheWrap takes a look at the celebrities who have gone on to bigger and better things.

The post ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Solid Revealed for Season 29 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The newest program for the San Francisco Ballet’s 2021 digital season is the glorious return of George Balanchine’s jewels. This tripartite masterpiece is commonly referred to as the first full-length narrative ballet. This is a dubious claim depending on how you define “full-length” or “non-action”. It is also often described as an examination of the differences between French, American, and Russian ballet styles, or as a distillation of the intrinsic properties of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Personally, I find these descriptions almost annoyingly elusive and therefore not helpful at all. So – here is everything you really need to know: this whole thing is fabulous, and you really have to see it. And if you’ve seen it before, you have to see it again. It’s the kind of complex work that gets better and better with repetition, as you are bound to find new things to enjoy that you may not have noticed before.

That Jewels has stood the test of time since its premiere in 1967 is a bit of a surprise, as it was created as a “piece d’occasion” to celebrate the opening of the New York City Ballet’s new theater at Lincoln Center. It was ushered in with a level of hype unknown to City Ballet at the time, including a fashion series featuring the leading ballet flats at Van Cleef & Arpels. Our cultural landscape is littered with countless “great” new works that were commissioned for August occasions and premiered in front of a mystified gala audience, never to be seen again. Well, it turns out that Balanchine wasn’t the one to miss such a high profile opportunity and, in this case, created a ballet that is creative, quirky, and deeply engaging on an emotional level at the same time.

When I saw the SFB’s production, I was struck by the idea that the connective tissue between its three different ballets for me is that towards the end of each there is a characteristic, characteristic walking motion that crystallizes the ethos of that particular piece. At Emeralds, it’s a gentle, strolling stroll, underpinned by a weak, rhythmic pulse that creates a subtle atmosphere of romantic longing. At Rubies, it’s a brisk, arms-hunched run for the men and a lively canter with straight arms and hunched wrists for the women that capture the ancient, competitive spirit of this piece. At Diamonds, it’s a stately grand promenade with an extra kick as dozens of dancers flood the stage for the joyous finale.

(From left to right) Wona Park, Esteban Hernandez and Julia Rowe in Emeralds

Emeralds, captured in a performance here recently, are getting Jewels off to a wonderfully enigmatic start. The opening movement, set in Fauré’s beautiful suite Pelleas et Melisande, reads like a long, lazy sigh, sensitively danced by Angelo Greco, Misa Kuranaga and Sasha Mukhamedov. The pace accelerates significantly with a lively trio danced fabulously by a perfectly coordinated Esteban Hernandez, Wona Park and Julia Rowe. They are so wonderfully synchronized with one another that one moment they can move as a unit and the next break out into concise, complementary solos. The ballet ends with a slow pas de deux for Mukhamedov and Aaron Robison, which captures the overall spirit of ballet. Robison is particularly effective in this area, with his gallant manner and attention to the underlying pulse of the music.

San Francisco Ballet in Rubies

When the curtain rises again for Rubies and Stravinsky’s astringent and energetic Capriccio for piano and orchestra plays, we find ourselves in a completely different world. Suddenly everything is carefree, angular and wonderfully out of whack. The music is full of unexpectedly quirky melodies and changing rhythms that Balanchine treats like a fun house. Recorded at an SFB performance from February 2016, the dance is consistently incredibly crisp. Special greetings to the spirited 12-man corps that seem to pin down any difficult, unorthodox level. The opening section is led by Wanting Zhao, who dances with admirable clarity and speed, but may not yet feel comfortable enough with the audacity of the choreography to fully embrace it. In the years since then, Zhao has really developed as a dancer and now would probably totally crush it. The main couple are a lively and playful Mathilde Froustey and Pascal Molat. They dance well together but seem a bit miscast here. I wanted to see them dig in more, dance deeper to the ground, and really go for the more competitive, rougher, and more ready aspects of the movement.

After the idiosyncratic hijinks of Rubies, it can take a while to get used to the stately size of the final ballet Diamonds, which is based on Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous Symphony No. 3 in D major. The opening movement for the corps women is only pleasant and seems a bit indistinct. Things soon come into focus, however, as Balanchine leads us through a series of amazing sequences that inexorably lead to the bubbly finale. The second movement is an extended 10-minute adagio for Sasha De Sola and Tiit Helimets that is absolutely adorable from start to finish, though it doesn’t include a single particularly eye-catching move. While this is supposedly a nonsense ballet, it seems to me that we are watching a mature couple go through a period of uncertainty or stasis in their relationship before reconnecting. It is fascinating to me how the woman here always seems to be in control of the situation, even when she is lifted or held. It is so often that she moves away from him and it is he who runs to catch up with her.

Sasha De Sola and Tiit Helimets in diamonds

The dancing here between De Sola and Helimets is just phenomenal. They are both perfectly attuned to each other if they manage every tiny change in their relationship. I also like how they underestimate the emotions and let the movement speak for itself. When he picks her up and carries her across the stage and sets her back as gently as a caress, the effect is transcendent. The pas de deux ends with a gesture of tender indulgence, a meeting of equals. No disrespect to all of the other incredible dancers out there, but I don’t think I’ll see more glorious 10 minutes of dancing all year round.

In the Scherzo movement that follows, De Sola and Helimets finally have a chance to relax with fireworks. Helimets whips a perfect series of twists a la seconde, and De Sola shows her otherworldly ability to break up a passage of intricate, fast-moving footwork with a sudden, heartbreaking balance on one toe. Diamonds really flies when 32 dancers appear out of nowhere for the exuberant polonaise finale. How joyful it is to see so many incredibly talented dancers giving everything they have in perfect synchronicity. It’s an exciting end, and lucky for us that it has been videotaped so that we can see it all again as soon as it’s over.

(From left to right) Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang, Will Zhao, Max Cauthorn, Koto Ishihara and Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
in the joyous ending of Diamonds

(All photos by Erik Tomasson)

The San Francisco Ballet’s jewelery production can be streamed until April 21, 2021. For more information and tickets, visit www.sfballet.org or call (415) 865-2000.

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