San Marino High School’s Dance Department Presents the Stirring Original Production of ‘Philia and the Four Elements’ This Weekend.
By Mitch Lehman
The Greek Philosopher Empedocles roamed the earth 2,500 years ago, but if you’re looking for a fresh take on his unique musings, they will all be on display this weekend in the Neher Auditorium at San Marino High School.
There, the second installment of dance instructor Bonnie Hanson’s interpretive series arrives in the form of ‘Philia and the Four Elements,’ a creative, student-inspired production. ‘Philia’ follows 2013’s mega-hit ‘Oz,’ Hanson’s first original production based on ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ that featured student choreography and original music scored by her sons Cory and Casey, who graduated from San Marino High School in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
“I got a little bored after a while,” Bonnie Hanson said this week. “I was at an original production of the Pasadena Civic Ballet and I thought, ‘hey, we can do that, too.’ I felt that ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was a familiar theme to start with and we could produce an entire dance concert. We have enough students and my sons were interested in creating the score.”
“Philia and the Four Elements” will be staged in the Neher Auditorium at San Marino High School on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for students and children. Tickets are available at the door or at the auditorium on November 16, 17 and 18 from 6-7 p.m. For ticket information, please email to smhsdance@smusd.us
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