Excerpt from evening-length documentary video – Maida Withers  performs what was referred to as “Elvis Solo” in the evening-length dance Obsession – America’s Obsession with Sex.(1986) December 4, 5, 6  Elvis solo (nickname) Publick Playhouse

Maida Withers was featured, in Obsession – America’s Obsession With Sex, as the dancer performing the “Elvis” figure at the Publick Playhouse, Prince George’s Playhouse in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  The dance is performed to Elvis singing “Blue Suede Shoes.”  Maida wore red shoes in the performance.  In earlier performances,  “Elvis” was performed by Greg Simeone – a dynamic male performer for the role.   The demanding minister, actor/character, who accompanies the dance solo, with spoken text, is performed by Matthew Brown,  MFA Dancer, GWU.

Obsession – America’s Obsession With Sex, is an evening-length dance choreographed by Maida Withers for Maida Withers Dance Construction Company.  The Elvis Suite segments of Obsession honored the contribution of Elvis Presley to the social revolution that occurred in American in the 1960s.  Maida was a huge fan of Elvis when she was in high school.  The solo indicates Maida’s ongoing interest in popular and entertainment dance forms.  Tap dance was important in her involvement with dance improvisation and theatrical dance. Obsession toured in Mexico in 1987 (Mexico City, Nov. 21, 22; Quenetaro, Nov. 24, 25, and Guatemala City, Nov 28, 29. Maida continued to San Jose, Costa Rica, Dec 1-7, 1987 to teach workshops for a national conference.

Minister Script:  Matthew Brown wrote and performed the Minister script.

Video:
Music Credits
Sung by Elvis Presley
Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins, 1956)
Tell Me What’d I Say (Ray Charles, 1963)
It Hurts Me (Byers – Daniels, 1964)

Video Production Team
Linda Lewett, Producer
Judy Lowe, Co-Producer, Director, Editor
Camera: Charles Hardeman, John Lewis, Ann Bassin
Minister Script:  Matthew Brown wrote and performed the script

Produced by:  Fairfax Cable Access Corporation (FCAC)

Obsession toured in Mexico in 1987 (Mexico City, Mexico, Nov. 21, 22; Santiago de Quenetaro, Mexico, Nov. 24, 25 (city in central Mexico), and Guatemala City, Guatemala Nov 28-29. Maida continued to San Jose, Costa Rica, Dec 1-7, 1987 to teach workshops for 200 dancers/choreographers at the Teatro Nacional – Festival Jovenes Choreografos.