Puttin’ On the Rizz! – Virtual Program

May 30 – June 1, 2024 | Léonard Beaulne Studio (University Of Ottawa – 135 Séraphin-Marion Private)

Evening Shows at 8:00pm | Doors at 7:30 | Saturday Matine at 2:00pm | Doors at 1:30

Tickets Are $22 in Advance | $25 at the Door | General Admission

Puttin’ On the Rizz! is a brand new cabaret concept that we are excited to finally showcase! Past LBMT cabarets have generally had more of a vocal and acting focus, but this show turns the tables and puts the spotlight all on dance. Puttin’ On the Rizz! is an inclusive dance-centred showcase featuring some of Ottawa’s best professional choreographers and dancers, while also bringing different dance styles to the local musical theatre community. 

The show has an eclectic setlist featuring different styles of music and dance found in musical theatre, which include, ballroom, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and more. The set list is also varied with a mixture of ensemble, small group, and duet performances. With dance numbers choreographed to energetic hits like “Hit the Road Jack” and “Day-O” (Beetlejuice) to musical theatre classics like “The Rhythm Of Life” (Sweet Charity) and “Once Upon a December” (Anastasia), this show truly has something for everyone. 

Program

“PSYCHEDELIC SWITCH”
– Recorded By Carly Rae Jepsen
– Music and Lyrics By Carly Rae Jepsen, Kyle Shearer, Nate Cyphert
– Dance Style: Tap
– Choreographed By Andrew Wiseman
– Performed By Arlana Gillis, André Sponder, Andrew Wiseman, Julia Hubert, Nancy Poirier, Richard Parson, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi

“LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE”
– Recorded By Huey Lewis and the News
– Music and Lyrics By Bobby Day
– Dance Style: Jive
– Choreographed By Aliza Itskovich
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich and Dina Itskovich

“FALL (Mogwai Rework)”
– Recorded By Vanbur and Mogwai
– Music and Lyrics By Tim Morrish and Jessica Jones
– Dance Style: Contemporary
– Choreographed By Amber Green
– Performed By Arlana Gillis, Edwin Rodiles Montiel, Julia Hubert, Nancy Poirier, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi, William Xie, and Yasser Ali

Mash- Up: “PERHAPS, PERHAPS, PERHAPS” and “BEGGIN”
– “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”: Recorded By Cake | Music and Lyrics By Joe Davis and Osvaldo Farres
– “Beggin”: Recorded By Måneskin | Music and Lyrics By Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina
– Dance Style: Cha Cha
– Choreographed By Jesse Kahat
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, and Marie-Claude Boily

Medley: “THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT”, “LAISSEZ-LES KOUMA”, and “CHANTE”
– “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”: Recorded By The Tokens | Music and Lyrics By George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and Solomon Linda
– “Laissez-les kouma”: Recorded By Zaho (Featuring MHD) | Music and Lyrics By Ludovic Carquet, Mohamed Sylla, Therry Marie-Louise, and Zaho
– “Chante”: Recorded By Priscilla | Music and Lyrics By Adrian Newman and Alex Longstaff
– Dance Style: Modern
– Choreographed By Loriane Stella
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, Loriane Estella, Nancy Poirier, Richard Parson, Tomo Adachi, and William Xie

“ONCE UPON A DECEMBER”
From the musical Anastasia
– Sung By Sophia Pierce
– Music and Lyrics By Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
– Dance Style: Viennese Waltz
– Choreographed By Jesse Kahat and Andrew Wiseman
– Performed By Andrew Wiseman and Jesse Kahat

“RHYTHM OF LIFE”
From the musical Sweet Charity
– Lyrics By Dorothy Fields
– Music By Cy Coleman
– Dance Style: Musical Theatre
– Choreographed By Andrew Wiseman
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, Arlana Gillis, Julia Hubert, Loriane Estella, Marie-Claude Boily, Nancy Poirier, Richard Parson, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi, William Xie, and Yasser Ali Salem

INTERMISSION

“DAY-O (The Banana Boat Song)”
From the movie Beetlejuice
– Recorded By Harry Belafonte
– Music and Lyrics By Attaway, Harry Belafonte, and Lord Burgess
– Dance Style: Musical Theatre
– Choreographed By Jesse Kahat
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, Arlana Gillis, Julia Hubert, Loriane Estella, Marie-Claude Boily, Nancy Poirier, Richard Parson, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi, William Xie, and Yasser Ali Salem

“SE DICE DE MI”
– Recorded By Yolanda Rayo
– Music By Francisco Canaro
– Lyrics By Ivo Pelay
– Dance Style: Contemporary
– Choreographed By Milie Verronneau
– Performed By Milie Verronneau

Medley: “RATATA”, “FLY GIRL”, and “DISTURBIA”
– “RATATA”: Recorded By Skrillex, Missy Elliot, and Mr. Oizo | Music and Lyrics By Christopher Stein, DMC, Deborah Harry, Joseph Simmons, Missy Elliot, Paul SImon, Quentin Dupieux, and Skrillex
– “Fly Girl”: Recorded By Flo | Music and Lyrics By Camille Angelina Purcell, Christopher Stein, Corte Ellis, Darryl Matthews Mcdaniels, Deborah Harry, Gabriel Kusimo, Jamal Woon, Jorja Douglas, Joseph Ward Simmons, Joseph William Gosling, Jvck James, LiTek, Missy Elliot, Paul Simon, Renee Downer, Rico Santana, Ryan Ashley, Stella Quarasma, Tre Jean-Marie, Uzoechi Emenike, and Whyjay
– “Disturbia”: Recorded By Rihanna | Music and Lyrics By Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, Brian Kennedy, and Rob. A!
– Dance Style: Hip Hop
– Choreographed By Olivia Boily
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, Arlana Gillis, Edwin Rodiles Montiel, Julia Hubert, Loriane Estella, Marie-Claude Boily, Nancy Poirier, Richard Parson, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi, William Xie, and Yasser Ali Salem

“HIT THE ROAD JACK”
– Recorded By Ray Charles
– Music and Lyrics By Percy Mayfield
– Dance Style: Swing
– Choreographed By Jesse Kahat
– Performed By Jesse Kahat and Richard Parson

“FLOWERS”
– Recorded By Post Modern Jukebox and Stella Cole
– Music and Lyrics By Gregory “Aldae” Hein, Michael Pollack, and Miley Cyrus
– Dance Style: Ballroom
– Choreographed By Jesse Kahat
– Performed By Aliza Itskovich, André Sponder, Arlana Gillis, Edwin Rodiles Montiel, Marie-Claude Boily, Olivia Boily, Richard Parson, Susan Zhu, Tomo Adachi, William Xie, and Yasser Ali Salem

Tomo Adachi (Cast Member)

Tomo Adachi is a former classical singer (opera/choir). He crossed over to musical theatre with the Lost Baggage Musical Theatre’s Everybody Say Love! and Music Of the Night. His other musical theatre credit includes Mr. Grey in Rent and Governor in Oliver! (Suzart Productions). He also appeared in his first straight play as Michal in The Pillowman (the Marginally Fit Productions) in October 2023.  He greatly appreciates Jesse and Andrew who generously shared with us the joy of dancing, which I always wanted to explore. It has been an incredible journey!

Marie-Claude Boily (Cast Member)

Marie-Claude is very excited to join Lost Baggage Musical Theatre in this dance variety show. As a child she did gymnastics, starting dancing as an adult. This is her 11^th year as a competitive dancer in hip hop and various musical theatre styles. Her first musical theatre play was Just Say the Word in February 2024 and she loved it. Marie-Claude also spends many hours a week as a core volunteer with It Takes A Village Dog Rescue, saving dogs is her true passion, please check us out and adopt don’t shop!

Olivia Boily (Choreographer)

This show has been a great experience for Olivia, although she’s not in the show, she learned a lot of new dances and styles and even had the honour of choreographing a hip-hop number. She was originally brought into this by her mom and only agreed to go as a form of procrastination to not finish her school work, but after the first practice she kept coming back, and she’s glad she did.

Mathieu Charlebois (Executive Producer)

Paola Della Malva (Producer)

This is Paola’s sixth show with Lost Baggage and her first time in the role of Theatre Producer! Thanks to Mathieu, Jesse and Andrew for letting her be a part of this unique, talented and creative bunch! It’s been incredible watching the dancers come together and see them, at times, step out of their comfort zone to learn new dances. Before she sashay’s away, a final message – Please support the arts in whichever capacity you can!

Loriane Estella (Cast Member)

Loriane Estella is very excited to join Lost Baggage Musical Theatre in this dance variety show, especially in regards to her contributions as a choreographer. Loriane has been recognized for her artistic contributions and talents as an author, singer, actress, dancer, gymnast, and guitar player since her childhood. She won the first dance trophy at a 2017 competition by collaborating with three different dancers: Lana Marton ,Christine Couture, and Sylvie Desrosiers. This was her tenth year as a competitive dancer in various categories of dance. Her drive and determination have contributed to the success of her ventures, and she continues to inspire others through her dedication to solving social challenges.

Arlana Gillis (Cast Member)

Arlana has been looking forward to her debut performance with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre and is ecstatic to be involved in LBMT’s inaugural dance cabaret. Some of her other recent artistic ventures include a supporting lead role in a short film entitled Erica by Deidre J., screenwriter of a short film entitled Claire & Joseph optioned by Moonrise Productions, and a supporting role in a short film by Hassib Hani entitled Justice, which won the 2022 Best Film Award⁠ at the Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival.

She thanks her parents for instilling a lifelong love of the arts. She also thanks the LBMT team for helping her continue her journey of healing through the arts.

Amber Green (Choreographer)

Amber Green is a graduate from The School of Dance’s Contemporary Dance Diploma Program. Since graduating in 2015 she has been teaching dance workshops to elementary students across Ontario for Momentum Moves Canada. She has worked with many artists such as Shannon Cooney, Keaja d’Dance, and Roger Sinha for the Canada Dance Festival.

She has performed Amelia Griffin’s Feelers 2AM at Darkhorse Dance Projects in 2015, choreographed In and Out of… which was presented at Darkhorse Dance Projects in 2016 and co-choreographed “SONAR” with Geoffrey Dollar which was presented at Darkhorse Dance Projects in 2017.

Since then she has continued exploring different movement styles and became fascinated with the classical Indian dance style Kathak and trained with Aroha Fine Arts and performed for Arohafest 2019 – 2024.

When she is not training, or performing she is teaching dance for Momentum Moves and the National Arts Centre, as well as Hatha Yoga, and Yoga Tune Up® with the City of Ottawa, and continuing her education in the health and fitness realm obtaining the NASM personal trainer certification as she helps 40+ women to be preventative instead of reactive with their health and well-being.

Julia Hubert (Choreographer)

Julia is very excited to be making her debut with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre! For a brief period in her childhood, she was trained in jazz, tap, and ballet. She has been involved in multiple musical theatre productions and plays throughout middle school and high school and is ecstatic to be able to rekindle her love for performing. From musical theatre dancing to pole fitness, she has always had a deep love for dance and creative movement. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to reacquaint herself with past dance styles and learn some new ones in LBMT’s first-ever dance showcase. She thanks her family and friends for always being her biggest fans and for their support in all her creative endeavours.

Aliza Itskovich (Cast Member)

Aliza is delighted to be expanding her dance vocabulary in her debut with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre. You can also find Aliza dancing in Ottawa Vintage Swing’s performance troupe in the styles of Lindy Hop, Charleston and a dabbling of Fosse. If you push her into a dance circle you can expect some Kozachok inspired moves or a hip hop style “hype up”, anything to keep the energy up! Aliza wants to thank her most valued audience members, her parents for their unfaltering applause and a special shout out to her mom, for being her favourite dance partner.

Jesse Kahat (Artistic Director & Choreographer)

Jesse Kahat: (she/her) Jesse is an actor, director, choreographer, dance instructor, and music teacher. She has a BA in Theatre Directing from the University of Northern Colorado and an MA in Business Communications. She has been teaching Ballroom dance since 2005 and has been a music instructor since 2011. Jesse has been active in the National Capital Region’s theatre scene since 2017 when she was commissioned by the National Arts Centre to create and run their Toddler Tuesday program; a highly successful weekly program that facilitates performing arts shows and activities for families in the Ottawa area. You can find Jesse directing and performing in shows in the Capital region as well as running music, dance, art, and theatre classes for people of all ages. She is a regular cast member with Murder Mystery Ottawa and Pirate Life Ottawa Children’s Theatre; she is also currently on the board of directors for 2 non-profit organizations. This is Jesse’s 9th show with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre!

Llewyn McKenna (Host)

Richard Parson (Cast Member)

In 2008 Richard Parson decided he needed to learn to dance. In 2009 he moved to Ottawa and has been dancing lindy hop with the Ottawa Swing Dance Society ever since. With a background in classical Shakespeare, Richard is no stranger to the stage. He is very excited about his debut performance with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre. He is so excited to be learning new dance styles, like tap, waltz, and foxtrot, with such an incredibly talented cast and crew.

Nancy Poirier (Cast Member)

Nancy is thrilled to be making her debut with lost Baggage.  She trained in tap, ballet and jazz as a child. Dance took a backseat to life but she always found ways to incorporate it and feel the joy it brings – workouts and social dancing played a big part in keeping dance at the forefront. She then took up ballet with a local studio, tried highland dancing, and has performed in community musical theatre productions. She is excited to be sharing the stage with some new faces. Thanks to Matt for all the support.

Edwin Rodiles Montiel (Cast Member)

Yasser Ali Salem (Cast Member)

Yasser is a passionate individual striving for success in acting and always eager to seize opportunities in the entertainment industry. With a diverse range of interests spanning from theatre to dance, Yasser was thrilled to have been granted the chance to collaborate with Lost Baggage. This opportunity not only allowed him to be part of their show but also provided him with various dance lessons to further develop his skills in performing arts. He is enthusiastic about showcasing his talents and is committed to making his mark in the world of entertainment.

André Sponder (Cast Member)

Andre has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Usually doing ballet, lyrical and jazz, Andre has really enjoyed learning new dance styles like tap, ballroom and hip hop. She has performed in 3 other shows with LBMT and worked as the choreographer for LBMT’s most recent cabaret show Love on the Rocks. Most recently you may have seen her performing on stage as a Laker Girl in Greely Player’s Spamalot.

Laura D. Walker (Stage Manager)

Euan Wheaton (Host)

Andrew Wiseman (Artistic Director and Choreographer)

Working with Jesse Kahat-Taillon once again, Andrew is excited to share this new dance show concept they’ve put together for Lost Baggage. As dancers, Jesse and Andrew wanted to bring dancers together from all walks of life to put on a new and exciting kind of show. With 30+ years as a figure skater, 20+ years as a tap and musical theatre dancer, Andrew is thrilled to be dancing with Jesse again, and working with this entire cast and production team of amazing dancers and creatives alike. Andrew would like to thank his family, friends, colleagues, coaches, skaters, Lost Baggage, and of course Jesse for their love, support and encouragement.

William Xie (Cast Member)

William Started dancing and performance when he was a teen. He used to be a host and actor in the Ottawa Chinese Community. He unlocked his ballroom dance potential a few years ago. Recently he is enthusiastic in Brazilian Zouk, Salsa and Bachata. He is happy to join the crew in Lost Baggage Musical Theater.

Susan Zhu (Cast Member)

Susan danced in her childhood years but gave it up to pursue other creative interests. However, she always had a love for the art. She has performed in a number of musical theatre shows with Lost Baggage and Suzart. When the opportunity arose, Susan decided to rekindle her love for dance and this is her debut dance performance. She is very excited to showcase the various dance styles she has learned from the fabulous choreographers. Susan is also very thankful for the support of her family and friends who were always her biggest fans and critics.