Publicity
Josie Walsh has been named “25 To Watch” in the January, 2006 issue of Dance Magazine.
L.A. Weekly
It is rare to find a show that has both shades of Ministry and Cirque du Soleil, but MyoKyo Productions has successfully blended elements of industrial hard rock and acrobatic aerials in a refreshing dance performance that offers a unique interpretation of the journey of humankind since the Garden of Eden. Presented in a series of vignettes, the performance begins with a trancelike temptation of Eve, who is presented in duality as both Earth Eve (Josie Walsh) and Spirit Eve (Maude Maggart). Duality remains a theme throughout the performance, showing up in Walsh’s choreography, Kiyomi Hara’s costumes, Justin Huen’s lighting and Paul Rivera’s set design. Rivera also doubles as the Creator, a dark, puppet-master-like figure on stilts who is featured on lead guitar and vocals and looks like he ws plucked off of the cover of Izzy Stradlin’s first (and only) album with the Ju Ju Hounds. As the other featured vocalist, special guest Maggart showcases her beautiful voice in the piece. Walsh’s direction is crisp, effectively using simultaneity without compromising clarity, and her choreography is innovative, highlighting the atheleticism of dancers in the company.
L.A. Weekly Theater Critics
May 31, 2006
Cirque de Ballet
“Fusing aerial acrobatics and gymnastics with edgy pointe work best described as “extreme ballet,” Los Angeles-based artistic director/choreographer Josie Walsh creates mini-Vegas-like extravaganzas with her six-year-old Myo Dance Company. A former Joffrey Ballet and Zurich Ballet dancer, Walsh has an additional weapon in her creative arsenal: Husband Paul Rivera fronts an industrial rock band, Kyo, grinding out guitar licks perched on a pair of stilts. This spring in Hollywood, her 20-member troupe performs The Garden of Reason, a “non-linear journey through the mind.” Walsh, who also teaches and is choreographing Tinker Bell for Disney, says, “We’re dance-based but use circus arts to enhance choreographic opportunities—and to defy gravity.”
Victoria Looseleaf
Dance Magazine
January, 2006
“A Hidden Gem”
Dance Spirit Magazine
November 2004
“Steamy, sensuous and seriously high-flying – in every sense of the word – with gorgeous aerial ballets, cutting edge choreography and breathtaking visuals guaranteed to stimulate the senses.”
Victoria Looseleaf
regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times and freelance arts journalist.
“This is hot. Like Cirque du Soleil, only sexier”
Jillian Barberie
Good Day Live
“multidisciplinary, high-energy ‘Avalon’ is an onstage stadium spectacle….big ambitions and plenty of talent to realize them.”
Lewis Segal
L.A. Times Dance Critic
“Garden of Reason’s cutting-edge mentality and creativity sizzles with raw energy and seductiveness.”
Elliott Gould
Actor
“Extravaganza. Former Joffrey Ballet dancer Josie Walsh has a taste and talent for it-plus a knack for juxtaposing ballet, gymnastics, aerial acrobatics and hard-edged rock dancing in propulsive showpiece choreography.”
Lewis Segal
L.A. Times Dance Critic
“A feast of originality, provocative and whimsical. A must See!”
Alan Ladd Jr.
Producer
“Garden of Reason” an edgy amalgam of dance theatrics and progressive rock performance was nothing short of amazing. I found myself rocking without guilt, and admiring the provocative, very original choreography from the dance/acrobatics MYO Company.”
Aaron Stipkovich
Publisher/CEO Buzzine Magazine
“The energy and excitement of this production has you in its grasp from beginning to end! … It’s done with such an incredible display of dance, drama, circus arts, and original music… it’s simply beautiful and the cast is so extremely talented, there are aerial stunts, martial arts, ballet, a little hip-hop, and it really rocks!”
Kari Steele
KBIG 104.3
“Fiercely compelling: thrilling demonstrations of prowess”
Lewis Segal
L.A. Times Dance Critic
