We have received the news that director and choreographer Lizt Alfonso has been nominated for Canadian Dora Awards in three categories for her show Vida. Nominations are: Best New Musical, Best Musical Direction and Best Chorepraphy in a Play or Musical. In the first two nominations she shared honors with Canadian artistic co-director of the show, Nelly Robinson.
This contest is organized annually since 1978 by the Alliance of Stage Arts of Toronto to award the best Canadian theater and dance productions and it was named after Dora Mavor Moore, someone who helped to establish professional theater in this country.

The awards, consisting in a bronze statue by artist John Romano, will be given in a ceremony at the Winter Garden Theater of Toronto.

“Vida” is the last premiere of Lizt Alfonso Ballet Company in the capital’s theater, after being presented at the Royal Alexandra Theater of Toronto and was selected one of the 2007 best five shows in Canada. This is more than a presentation letter, it is the summary of a school image, which has conquered a seal and a sui generis form that have earned it a hallmark within Cuban culture.

Lizt Alfonso, director of the Dance Company, dedicated this show to her grandmother and to all those people who devoted great part of their lives to transmit the importance of going with intelligence and perseverance to reach their dreams.

This show, which have been nominated for important Dora Awards, had the artistic direction of Kelly Robinson and Lizt Alfonso herself - who is also responsible for the choreographies that can be enjoyed all along Vida – musical direction by Denis Peralta, Yannik Larivee and Ricardo Reymena were in charge of the excellent stage production and an elegant, functional and simple costume; the work stands out for its Light design made by Howard Ungerleider and the impeccable sound by Armando González; special performances of our great diva Omara Portuondo and of excellent singer Ele Valdés, leader voice of Síntesis Group.

The Award Ceremony will be celebrated soon though Lizt expressed when receiving the news: Just the fact of being nominated is a great honor and a privilege because of the rigorous selection of the works.


Article written by Raúl Fuillerat Alfonso