Everyone who wears purple dies -- at least in the Studio One production of The Curse of the Purple Tutu, choreographed by Studio One founder Melissa Cesarano. The curse afflicts all those who wear garments made of a purple fabric robbed from the grave of a woman long dead. "It's a love story," says Cesarano. "She was given a gift of purple fabric by the love of her life, and it was stolen by grave robbers." The curse manifests itself differently each decade, but it always afflicts the lover of the one who wears it.
"It sounds morbid, but the lover of the person in purple always dies," says Cesarano. The piece utilizes 250 dancers, ranging in age from 2.5 to 55, and encompasses ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. On Saturday, June 7, performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. at Marcos de Niza High School, 6000 Lakeshore Drive in Tempe. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students; to purchase, call 602-468-6021. - Quetta Carpenter
Dream Weavers
Variety show gives peace a chance
Sat 6/7
Saturday night's all right for citing, as readings of well-known passages on peace, diversity and "the importance of living for a great dream" shape Dare to Dream: A Spring-Into-Summer Concert for Peace. Sponsored by the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist association, the production also features performances by the Arizona Cactus Chorus, Sabakurai Daiko (Desert Thunder Taiko drummers), several youth dance groups, and local jazz artist Sherry Roberson. Dream time is 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the SGI-USA Phoenix Culture Center, 1930 East Myrtle Avenue. A 6:30 reception precedes the concert; a $5 donation is suggested. For details call 602-861-1313 or log on to www.sgiaz.org. - Jill Koch
Sword Play
The resurrection of Camelot
6/5-6/14 The quintessential drama queen lives an early summer's knight dream, as the Tempe Little Theatre brings Queen Guinevere, Sir Lancelot and King Arthur to life in Camelot. Based on T.H. White's 1958 book The Once and Future King, the production sets the story of love, loss and honor to music; songs include "If Ever I Would Leave You," "What Do the Simple Folks Do" and "Camelot."
The troupe goes medieval through June 14 at the Tempe Performing Arts Center, 132 East Sixth Street in downtown Tempe. Tickets -- $14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors -- are half-price on Community Night, Thursday, June 12. Call 480-350-8388 for reservations.- Jill Koch
