Rasta Moves
By Kim Okamura
Nov. 11, 2002 9:00 p.m.
One of the best reasons to see the new adaptation of “Snow
White” at the Geffen Playhouse has little to do with dwarves
and everything to do with Prince Charming.
Opening tonight for a six-week run, “Pearl” is a
dance-driven, contemporary version of the Brothers Grimm classic,
written and directed by veteran choreographer Debbie Allen. The
show features many young dancers whose careers show signs of
promise, but it has in 21-year-old Rasta Thomas a superstar in the
making ““ a classically trained dancer and martial artist
whose versatility and unconventional career choices are crafting
him into a brand new type of performer.
Recently called “one of the world’s leading young
dancers” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Thomas is a graduate
of the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., an accomplished
martial arts practitioner (earning his first black belt by age 6),
and in 1998 at age 16, was the youngest dancer ever to win the
senior men’s gold medal at the U.S.A. International Ballet
Competition in Jackson, Miss. Noted for his dramatic stage presence
and strong technique, he performs as a guest artist (dancer) around
the world. In 2001, the boy who was forced into ballet for bad
behavior became the first American to dance with the illustrious
Kirov Ballet in Russia.
Although some dance traditionalists question his decision not to
affiliate himself with a single company as most young dancers do,
Thomas prefers the creative control of a freelance artist.
“A lot of dancers are slaves to the art instead of pushing
boundaries,” he said during an interview at the Geffen with
self-confidence uncommon for someone so young. “Working with
different choreographers, having to pull bits and pieces together,
you can’t be a purist. They say, “˜I want you to flip
here; I want you to do this extension; I want this lyrical
quality.'”
His desire to experiment with new forms of dance has also led to
more mainstream work. Television viewers might recognize him from
the Gap’s “West Side Story” ads a few years ago
or as one of the five featured dancers in 1999’s Academy
Awards telecast.
This ability to adapt to a variety of styles led him to his
association with Debbie Allen, who has called him, quite simply, a
“genius.” “Pearl” will be their third
project together.
“Working with Debbie is always fun because of the
“˜extra-curricular’ dance activities you learn ““
the singing, working with children, acting,” Thomas said.
“The whole ambience that makes you a more complete artist is
what I value with her.”
Thomas hopes to devote himself one day to a film career,
envisioning himself a new American action hero who would combine
dance with martial arts. He has a role in Patrick Swayze’s
upcoming film, “Without a Word,” to be released
sometime next spring, but in the meantime, he plans to keep taking
risks with his dancing.
“I’m not great at any one thing, but I’m good
at a lot of things,” he said. “I just feel that this is
a quicker way to the artistic fulfillment in my life and what I
want out of it.”
