If James has anything to do with it, that's about to change.
John Johnson
Life's a drag! James Olguin during a break in the action.
John Johnson
James Olguin in full swing as Tiana Ramirez.
Related Content
More About
Five minutes into dress rehearsal, and the dancers are already sweating.
"Oh, my God," says one girl. "I'm not used to working with a skirt!"
"Tell me about it," says another.
But they get no sympathy from Lisa Trujillo, who's preparing them for an April 21-22 engagement at the Phoenix Theater, where James will make his public debut as Tiana Ramirez. The group will do a series of numbers, and as one of the highlights, Tiana will perform solos as well as a duet with Lisa, who wants everyone to be sharp.
"The important key, and I'm tired of saying it for the zillionth time, is none of these weak wrists!" she says. "Elbows back! And hold your skirts as a fist. Okay? Ready. One, two, three and go!"
The studio erupts in a thunderstorm of clattering shoes. The dancers spin and twist like butterflies, their ruffled skirts a blur of red, green, turquoise, lavender and yellow. At the front of the studio, eyes locked on the mirror, is James, rehearsing as Tiana.
"Come on, guys," Lisa barks. "Do the steps!"
James does his best to comply, biting his lip in concentration and sweeping back an errant strand of hair. But even at this frantic pace, there's not much out of place in Tiana's ensemble, which includes a black dress adorned with a rainbow of ribbons, a dark wig tied back with red roses, gold-hoop earrings and impossibly long and curly false eyelashes. The only glitch seems to be a pair of boxer shorts that James bought during the holidays, which bleep little Christmas tunes from under his dress as he dances.
"Elbows! Elbows! Elbows!" Lisa shouts.
James's dream is to join the internationally renowned Ballet Folklorico de México in Mexico City, where he'd probably have to perform the man's role. Mexico City isn't ready for Tiana just yet, he says. But first, he must survive Lisa's dress rehearsal, which is tough even for girls who have danced for years -- and he must do it wearing three-inch heels.
"Okay," Lisa tells him. "Your elbows are fine, but you're holding your shoulders forward. You know what I'm saying? Your elbows have to be forward, but your shoulders have to be back."
James nods. The dance continues.
"Not bad, guys," Lisa says. "Not bad at all!"
Toward the end of the rehearsal, the group performs a blistering rendition of "El Coco," and it's all James can do to keep up. The strand of hair falls back over his face, sweat glistens on his forehead, he misses a beat, loses his skirt momentarily and falls behind a step.
"Smile, everyone," Lisa says. "Come on. Smile!"
Then it happens. His frown disappears, his steps get lighter, his worries fade, and it's again all about dancing. And at that moment, James laughs.
