Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Edward Scissorhands lived near Los Angeles
()
It's CalArts lore -- and most likely true -- that Tim Burton, an alumnus of the art institute in Valencia (now a neighborhood in the later incorporated City of Santa Clarita), based the setting of Edward Scissorhands on the dichotomy between the blessed cookie-cutter Mormon Los Angeles bedroom suburb and the psychedelic Playboy-rated party art school on the hill. Even today, while Santa Clarita has become more diverse and the school has become less liberal (well, in terms of orgies at least), the juxtaposition is still there.
You're too "out of the box" a man told me on the Red Line subway ride after the dance version of Scissorhands at the Ahmanson when I told him that Matthew Bourne has never excited me as much as Alvin Ailey did or how it didn't interest me in the same way Merce Cunningham can. Of course I liked it "weird", I went to CalArts just like Tim Burton and after four years of composing music for dancers' avant-garde movements, it trained my appreciation for dance a bit differently then the general audience's.
However, as the WeHo man on the subway pointed out, Bourne is for the masses and I agree with that. As everyone left the theatre, they carried a smile that felt like it would take them to the water cooler the next day. And after a standing ovation that forced the cast three bows (maybe it was four), you knew LA was in love.
Support for LAist comes from
While I always enjoy my time watching a Bourne dance, I do find his strength in telling a story through movement is like no other. You do not need to see the movie before seeing the dance unless you want to see the small variations in the story. Every emotion and character trait is smacked in your face without saying a word.
In all, Edward Scisscorhands is visually beautiful. From the solid dancers on stage to the Valencia-esque vanilla skies, Bourne will pour LA denizens in and out of the Ahmanson theatre with ease. If it isn't already sold out, best to act fast.
Photo by Bill Cooper
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist