Lynne Kurdziel-Formato, associate professor of performing arts, recently returned from Buffalo, New York, where she set a concert dance piece on the Zodiaque Dance Company – the resident company of the University at Buffalo.
Utilizing elements of theatre dance, the piece “Heaven’s Got Hake-eoke” features 10 dancers. The following program notes give the reader a sense of the work’s intention.
“HEAVEN’S GOT HAKE-EOKE” is dedicated to the memory of Michael Hake, musical director extraordinaire of hundreds of shows throughout Western New York including many productions here at UB. Hake-eoke was Michael’s live pianist version of karaoke –on Monday evenings in Buffalo many generations of musical theatre performers made their way to the Q and his piano. For this piece I have chosen a mere sliver of music from the long list of musicals we worked on together, as well as his signature closing number for Hake-eoke nights.
The first of the 43 pieces that I set on the Zodiaque Dance Company was entitled “Broadway Beats.” For this concert I had intended to do a new version – exploring beats as rhythm as well as the heartbeat of inspiration – instead, I honor an artist and a friend, although his heart could no longer beat physically, his legacy and inspiration lives on in the hearts of those he touched.
Under the direction of Professors Thomas Ralabate and Tressa Gorman-Crehan, the concert opens at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts on February 24, 2016.