Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR

She can go from the elegant class of Radio City Music Hall to the fun filled crass of Spamalot and not miss a beat. Because Alissa LaVergne is living the dream …literally.

“From the moment I saw them I knew that’s what I wanted to do – it was my ultimate dream.” - LaVergneAs a child in Groves, (a tiny Texas town nudged in between Port Arthur and Port Neches,) she would sit in front of the television staring starry eyed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and marvel at the iconic Rockettes.

“From the moment I saw them I knew that’s what I wanted to do – it was my ultimate dream.” she said. 

Not too many years later, after studying Musical Theater and Dance at Sam Houston, the leggy, twenty-something brunette can now say her fantasy has come true. Alissa is enjoying her third year with the world famous synchronized dancing troupe.

So why does she make the transition from Kickalot to Spamalot?

“The Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs for three months with another few months of rehearsals before the extravaganza. The rest of the year dancers can work elsewhere. I’m proud to say that this is my fifth appearance with TUTS. I’m very excited. It will be fun. I’m in the Ensemble. It’s a male dominated show so it will be quite different from working with 35 other women onstage in New York City,” Alissa said.

Any advice to the young girls now looking at YOU wide eyed with dancer dreams in their head?

“Be committed. To do it right is hard work. Even now I take dance class three times a week along with acting and voice coaching. Be versatile and well rounded.Most of all believe in yourself” 

Spamalot is a TUTS / Kansas City Starlight Theater’s production running May 14 - 26 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. The wacky show is lovingly ripped off from the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” This three-time Tony Award winning presentation spoofs the Arthurian legend amidst a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits and one legless knight.  The show features music and lyrics by the Grammy Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Eric Idle.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  An audio described performance is available Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible.  Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.  Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.