Michael Mizerany's '[manhandled]'

They say to write what you know and use observations from your everyday
life. As artistic director for Compulsion Dance and Theatre, Michael Mizerany follows that same golden rule when choreographing dance.

His newest piece, "[manhandled]," came out of waiting in the airport. "I was traveling back home for Christmas, or maybe Thanksgiving. I saw this couple - two men - one was in charge of the baggage and one was in charge of their tickets. The scene was emotionally overwrought. It was clear that
the couple was on the verge of a breakup, one was distant and put-out, the other more physically distraught. The couple walking past me, they got me thinking, how would I end that story? Here I am, just sitting in the airport and it was fascinating to see the variety of relationships being mishandled and, on occasion, manhandled."

For those who are not pulling his name out of their mental rolodex, Mizerany's work should still be familiar. At Diversionary, he choreographed "Hot Guys Dancing," "Altar Boyz" (Noah Longton Productions), "Dooley," "Divine Sister," "Miss Kitty's Wild West Revue," "Scrooge In Rouge," "Thrill Me," "bare: A Pop Opera," "A New Brain" and "In The Va Va Voom Room" (which he also wrote).

Additional choreography work by Mizerany includes "Chicago: A Speakeasy Cabaret," "Grey Gardens" (Ion Theatre), "Carnival!" and "Suds" (The Coronado Playhouse), "Spring Awakening," "When The Rain Stops Falling" and Stupid F**king Bird" (Cygnet Theatre), "The Full Monty" (New Village Arts), "Trolley Dances" (SDDT), "Rent" (Southwestern College) and "Threepenny Opera" (UCSD).

"[manhandled]" is designed as a cabaret evening and features the premiere of a new duet, two critically acclaimed works (one with a gender twist) and a piece by guest artist Bradley R. Lundberg. Dancers include David Wornovitzky, Nicholas Strasburg, Brittany Taylor, Bradley R. Lundberg, Andrew Holmes, Martin Anthony Dorado and Nikki Dunnan.

Mizerany handpicked the artists. "Over the years I have come to know many local dancers and their capabilities, their style of dance and their comfort levels. This is an amazing town with a ton of talent. It is wonderful to be immersed in so much dance and musical theatre in San Diego."

Every show in Mizerany's extensive career has his signature stamp. "I love lift work and dynamic partnering, creating visceral, intricate, dangerous and visually stunning pieces. There will be moments when the audience gasps at the lift work. I love the physics of dance, what the body can do safely. I love the physics of dance, what the body can do safely. Pushing the boundaries."

The evening at "[manhandled]" will be filled with lifts and contemporary dance. Mizerany's goal? "I want to create a great story that shows a full range of emotions and love and lust... universal themes. Yes, I present what I know, gay relationships. But we all deal with these emotions. Gay, straight or bi, you will be able to relate to what we are presenting on that stage. It's an affirmation; the opportunity to feel and connect with universal themes. We are all human, and we all feel the same emotions. I just want people to keep in mind, even when the characters are gay, it is not a gay work... it is truly a human work."

Mizerany hails from the Midwest. In his younger days he was part of a national dance company and in 1997 he toured the world. "That was incredible. From there I started teaching and planning choreography for dance companies and for musical theatre. I came to San Diego to join Malashock Dance and served as its associate artistic director. I stepped out in 2013 to start my own dance company. It was scary, but it was the right time. Since then, I have been busy building my company, teaching and choreographing musicals. I feel really lucky, to have my feet in different worlds."

"[manhandled]" is coming to the Diversionary stage for a four-day limited engagement. Ultimately, the show will be part of a Man Dance Series. Next year, Mizerany will present the next piece, "Man Clan." After that, another... he doesn't have an idea for the third piece yet, but he knows one thing: "It will look at masculinity in a comical way."

"[manhandled]" runs Thursday, August 11 through Sunday, August 14 at the Diversionary Theatre. For tickets and more information, call 619.220.0097 or go to diversionary.org