Interview with
Choreographers, Kenny Ortega and Miranda Garrison
June 8, 2001
By Mick Chang
SalsaPower Local Correspondent
Kenny Ortega was
the choreographer of the "Dirty Dancing"
and "Salsa" movie. He is in Houston
filming his current project, "When the
Music Stops" (renamed to "The Way She Moves"),
a romantic salsa movie for VH-1 that is scheduled
to be released in August, 2001. Kenny is choreographing
"When the Music Stops" along with
Miranda Garrison. Miranda is known for her
contributions to the "Dirty Dancing",
"Salsa", and "Selena" movies.
We were lucky
to chat with Kenny, Miranda and a couple of
the featured dancers (Raul Orlando and Ruth
Carratala) during a break in filming.
Mick: What
made you decide to do a movie with salsa at this time?
Kenny: Because of
the success of "Dirty Dancing" on VH-1, we brainstormed
and decided on a movie with salsa. There is a connection between
salsa and romantic relationships like trust, surrender, patience,
and respect. All those are elements for a great story.
Miranda: The "Salsa"
movie made in 1988 (with Robby Rosa, formerly of Menudo), was ahead
of its time. With the blossoming of Latin music into the pop culture
like Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin, the general public is primed
for a salsa movie like this. Salsa is like a huge party waiting
to happen.
Mick: What made
you decide to choose Houston for the movie shoot location?
Kenny: Houston is
the 4th largest city in the country, and we felt that the salsa
scene is underexposed in Houston. We see an emerging energy in Houston.
Miranda: New York
was our original choice, but we also liked the scene in Houston.
Mick: You had over
200 salseros who showed up for your salsa dance audition in Houston.
What was your initial impression from that audition?
Kenny: Very pleased.
Excitement, high energy, dedication. It was pouring rain outside,
and having all those great dancers willing to wait in the rain is
a tribute to their dedication. That in itself is a basis for a movie!
Miranda: We felt
lucky to have so many great dancers show up. We were fully impressed
with the dancers in Houston.
Mick: What are some
of the qualities that you looked for in selecting the salsa dancers
for this movie?
Kenny: I was looking
for a soulful connection to the music and dance, and less tricks
and patterns. Salsa is about soulful connection.
Miranda: The most
important things to me were heart, individual dance styles, great
personal expression, joy of spirit, and the love of dance.
Mick: How would
you compare the salsa dancers and style in Houston from those in
other salsa cities like NY, LA or Miami?
Kenny: Equally passionate
and dedicated. Working with all the great dancers in Houston is
like a big family. They bring in their own creativity. And that
is a great contribution to this movie.
Miranda: The Houston
salsa scene reminds me of an early LA scene. It's fresh and eclectic
with a growing individuality in style.
Mick: Who are some
of the people in dance and music that have influenced you?
Kenny: Gene Kelly.
He is my mentor, teacher and friend. Rosa Montoya in San Francisco.
Miranda Garrison, my partner in this movie. Tony Basil, Jerome Robbins
(West Side Story), I can go on and on.
Miranda: Gene Kelly.
Kenny, of course. Francisco Vásquez, a great LA dancer. I'm
also moved by the music like Tito Puente,
Oscar de Leon, Marc Anthony. I
also like romantic music like Luis
Miguel.
Mick: What are some
other projects that you will be working on in the near future?
Kenny: I will be
the Staging Director for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Miranda: I will
be directing the Golden Eagle awards ceremony.
Mick: We thank Kenny,
Miranda and the Houston salsa dancers for filming such a high
profiled salsa movie in Houston. We
certainly hope that salseros around the
world will start recognizing Houston's salsa
scene. Don't forget to look for "When the Music Stops" (renamed
to "The Way She Moves") on VH-1 around late August 2001. You just
might see me in the background!
Mick Chang
SalsaPower Houston Correspondent
