Another Language Performing Arts Company

Elizabeth A. Miklavcic - Choreographic Works

That Darn Arm - November 14, 1992

That Darn Arm (1992)

Choreographer: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic
Music: (Video Credits)
Costuming: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic
Lighting: Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Dancers: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic, Michael Larkin, Jayne Gregory Payne
Location: Another Language Performance Studio, 345 West Pierpont Ave., Salt Lake City, Utah
Length: 3:15 minutes

Description
Kids love it when adults spaz out, so it made perfect sense to include That Darn Arm in Another Language Performing Arts Company's first children's concert, Fantasy Flights. This retro dance was influenced by old-timey tap dance numbers from the 1940's. Since Elizabeth had tapped danced since she was four years old, she wanted to expand her choreography by creating a cross genre dance. There is really no tap in this dance though, That Darn Arm is more about the feeling of comedic tap dancing.

The dancers Elizabeth Miklavcic, Jane Gregory-Payne, and Michael Larkin swagger in, acting so cool, but then all of a sudden their arms get stuck to their chin, or they trip over their feet. Much like Peter Sellers' physical comedy as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies. Loosing control, then regaining control, and acting like nothing is wrong is a reoccurring theme throughout That Darn Arm.

Originally choreographed in 1985 for the final Experimental Floss, this was the first and only re-staging of That Darn Arm that the company has documented. It was performed at the Children's Museum of Utah and for at least one elementary school lecture demonstration. The light-hearted quality of the dance was a great resource for Another Language when performing for children.