The Snowman and The Red Thread Dazzles the Audience

Portland’s own beloved Michael Allen Harrison, pianist/musical artist extraordinaire, and Robert Guitron, the spectacular Artistic Director of Polaris Dance Theatre, collaborated once again to bring the world premiere of the Snowman and the Red Thread to Portland, Oregon. The story is narrated by Grandpa telling the story of a little girl, Misha, who learns from her Grandmother and the “Snowman” not to judge people from the outside (their appearance), but to connect heart to heart and learn to love, care, and support others. Simply put, the play’s premise is: “Do not judge a book by its cover.” The Snowman explains – through music, dance, laughter, smiles, and enchanting costumes on dancers and scenes from foreign, unknown places – NOT to recoil from people different from yourself, but to look inside the heart and discover what lies beneath the exterior of our human form and to dismiss preconceived notions about others we encounter. Harrison and Guitron, once again, pulled out all the stops to bring Portland a thought-provoking story for children and adults of all ages to see and listen to with delight, helping us break down the mental barriers we humans tend to erect when meeting new people who are different from us.

The End ... Until Next Time

Land of the Snow People - Photo by

Nick Fochtman

"Snowman and the Red Thread" finished its last show yesterday afternoon with a standing ovation. As quickly as it began, the performances came to an end. "It passed by so quickly," Ashley admits. "They need to add, like, eight more shows!" Photographer Nick Fochtman took incredible photos of the shows and preserved so many memories. "It was a spectacular grand finale," Cayla says. "And now I'm so sad it's over! Whoever didn’t have a chance to come this year has to come next year."

Two Shows Down

The Snowman - Photo by Nick Fochtman



 

Two shows, buckets of fun, waves of laughter - it's all zoomed by so fast. "Snowman and the Red Thread" is already approaching its third show! Each time, the performance gets better and better. And there's only three shows left! Cayla and Ashley have had the time of their lives working with Polaris, Robert Guitron (Artistic Director of the Polaris Dance Theater), and Michael Allen Harrison.

 

 

 

The Lands of "Snowman and the Red Thread"

In three short days the "Snowman and the Red Thread" will move from the Polaris Dance studio to Lincoln Hall! Everyone is excited, including Cayla and Ashley. This is their first time in a production that will include more than just singing and playing the piano. In this show, their challenge was to act and dance...something they never did before. "It has been the greatest experience ever," says Cayla. "I wish it would never end!" Every person in the show, from toddlers to professional dancers, are amazing and incredible. You just can't take your eyes off them. Each land is special and magical as well.

The Land of Snow People is most special to Ashley. It is the first land, and the scene were Misha realizes she has traveled into a new world filled with beauty and wonders. In this land, magic is created from music, song, and dance. "Each movement produces sound," explains Ashley. "And it's really funny to see how Misha discovers the magic and how she has fun with it." The Snow People, Snowballs, and Snowflakes make this very land special for both Misha and Ashley.

In Five Days...

Robert Guitron

Michael Allen Harrison

In less than a week, "The Snowman and the Red Thread" will be performed on stage! The costumes are ready, the dances have been practiced to perfection, and every time the show is rehearsed, is gets better and better! Over the course of two weeks, countless  memories have been created, friends have been made, and tons of laughter has been produced.





Robert Guitron, the artistic director and co-founder of Polaris, choreographed the entire show and wrote the story with Michael Allen Harrison, who will play live at every performance. M’Liss Stephenson, the rehearsal director, is an incredibly talented dancer who will perform with Tia Zapp on the softbox in the Land of Flight. To learn more about the talented dancers that will perform, click  here.

Snowman and the Red Thread - Fun for All!

Polaris Dance Theater

Cayla and Ashley are working hard on the "Snowman and the Red Thread" project. They were wowed at the rehearsal as they watched the dancers perform - everything from ballet to aerial dance (using a variety of apparatuses including fabric and more)!! They knew then that it was going to be a dazzling production.

So join us for this captivating premiere of theater, dance, and live music presented by Polaris Dance Theater on January 24 - 27 at Lincoln Hall. It's not just a kids show, but an experience for everyone, regardless of their age. The story is deeply influenced by this Chinese proverb- "An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, despite the time, the place, and despite the circumstances. The thread can be tightened or tangle, but will never be broken".

The Snowman and the Red Thread

Cayla and Ashley will be performing in a production presented by Polaris Dance Theater and Michael Allen Harrison, "Snowman and the Red Thread" on January 24 - 26. The story, of course, has a snowman and tells a captivating tale of a young child who embarks on a fantastic journey through a series of magical lands. When she returns home, she see the world through new eyes. The show is a delightful mix of musical theater and dance, perfect for the family. Tickets start at just $22!

Need more info?

Snowman and the Red Thread Information

Want to buy tickets?
Snowman and the Red Thread Tickets!

We hope to see you there! The performance schedule for the shows:

Thursday, January 24 at 7:30 pm

Friday January 25th at 7:30 pm

 

Saturday January 26th at 2:00 pm
Saturday January 26th at 7:30 pm

 

• The Lands of the "Snowman and the Red Thread"
• The End... Until Next Year
• The "Snowman and the Red Thread" Dazzles Audience
• A Gift for You: Christmas Music Videos