The dance narrative “When We Touch” by Reed Luplau and Jacob Yates will be performed as part of this weekend’s Bryant Park Picnic Performances on Saturday, August 31, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The program is curated by Tiffany Rea Fisher and excerpts from When We Touch will be presented with additional support from Andy Jones and Todd Donovan. When We Touch is a historical drama told through the magic of music and dance. Featuring music and lyrics by queer artist ‘LP’ and set against the backdrop of East Berlin in 1989, the show celebrates the struggle for freedom and the endurance of humanity.

In resistance against the communist German Democratic Republic, the city and its people have witnessed one of the largest protests in East German history. Exactly one week before the fall of the Berlin Wall, When We Touch follows a queer son named Elias, whose mother Eleanor, a dedicated Stasi agent, does everything she can to defend her country. Elias knows no other life than the strict rules of the state. Born into the cold conflict and after numerous clashes with communist law, Elias’ desire for liberation grows. When freedom flirts behind a four-meter-high wall, Elias is ready to take action. Together with his lover Jasper and their close circle of eccentric friends, they forge a plan to escape. Elias doesn’t know that his mother is always listening.

The ensemble welcomes Tony nominees Amber Iman (Lempicka The Musical), Wren Riviera (Jagged Little Pill!), Giuseppe Little (Newsies, Stages St. Louis) and Michelle Mercedes (MJ!) as well as Hannah Corneau (Wicked, Gershwin Theater) , Karli Dinardo (Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Music Box Theater), Daniel Gaymon (Hamilton, US tour “Angelica”), Stephen Hernandez (Wicked, Gershwin Theater), Bahiyah Hibah (Moulin Rouge, Al Hirschfeld Theater), Melissa Rose Hirsch (The Mad Ones, Prospect Theater Company), Gabriel Hyman (Hell’s Kitchen, Shubert Theater), Kody Jauron (Wicked, US Tour), Kolton Krouse (Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Music Box Theater), Bobby Conte (Tommy, Nederlander Theater). ) and Jena VanElslander (Jagged Little Pill, US tour).

The production features musical arrangements and direction by Jacob Yates, production design by Sarina Rivera, and costume design by DW.

Reed Luplau (Co-Creator/Concept/Director/Choreographer) was born in Perth, Australia and began dancing at his mother’s studio, the Jody Marshall Dance Company, at the age of 18 months. Before graduating from the Australian Ballet School, Reed was invited by then Artistic Directors Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon to join the Sydney Dance Company (SDC), where he performed and choreographed for five years. When he got the opportunity to move to New York, Reed performed for the Stephen Petronio Company, Aszure Barton & Artists and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.

Reed’s choreographic projects include Spring Awakening (Skylight Music Theater), Head Over Heels (WAPPA), the film Places, Please, PHISH at Madison Square Garden, Disney Cruise Line, and the Brooks Brothers 100th Anniversary Celebration. In the ballet world, Reed has created works for the Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, and West Australian Ballet.

Reed’s theater credits include the original cast of Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812. He was also in the original cast of the revival of Anatevka, directed by Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Hofesh Schecter. Off-Broadway – Andy Blankenbuehler’s ONLY GOLD, David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu. His opera credits include the lead role of Bosie in the production of OSCAR, directed by Kevin Newbury for Santa Fe Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Netia Jones and choreographed by Reed.

His film/television appearances include the role of Theo in Alan Brown’s “Five Dances”, “HALSTON”, “Maisel”, “Fosse/Verdon”, “Mozart in the Jungle”, “The Sixth Borough” and “Mao’s Last Dancer”.

LP (music and lyrics) With powerful vocals, genre-bending attitude, and a sharp pen that turns strong emotions into soaring pop hooks, LP has become one of the most internationally beloved singer-songwriters of her generation. The Los Angeles-based artist rose to meteoric fame in 2017 with “Lost On You,” a heart-wrenching folk ballad that hit #1 in 18 countries, and has captivated an audience of over 25.7 million monthly listeners/viewers who fill her overwhelming, sold-out shows in more than 150 cities around the world with 3,000-20,000 tickets. LP’s unparalleled catalog has amassed over 3 billion streams worldwide and is filled with universal anthems of transformative love and self-discovery that capture the complexity of the human experience through her eyes. “Songwriting is a way for me to get to the center of my own world,” LP explains, “and find the originality I need for myself.”

A unique talent who possesses both wit and introspective depth, LP sees songwriting as their life’s work, comparing it to the art of comedy. “It’s about calming someone down, letting their mind go, and getting them ready to receive those emotions. Then they can let the song speak to their soul in the way they want it to.” LP also describes performances as their “connection to the world,” which will no doubt be strengthened further with the upcoming album Love Lines. “I’m constantly trying to reach more people,” they add. “To make people feel good, even if it’s just a three-minute song.”

Jacob Yates (Co-Creator/Music Director and Arranger) Jacob Yates is a classically trained cellist and music director. His most popular Broadway/Off-Broadway credits include Wicked, Les Misérables, Spring Awakening, Alice By Heart, Hadestown (tour/Broadway), Only Gold, Rock of Ages, and currently Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. In addition to his Broadway career, Jacob has toured with Disney’s DISNEY PRINCESS The Concert and performed worldwide with Broadway and television stars. He will also be seen in the upcoming feature film On A String. His upcoming musical projects include Hard Road, 5 and Dime, and When We Touch.

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