The 2000 documentary Amargosa focuses on Marta Becket, a professional ballerina, Broadway dancer, and choreographer. She made a decision to leave the New York City art scene, move across the country to the remote ghost town of Death Valley Junction, California, and renovate the dilapidated Amargosa Opera House in order to perform. These performances were first and foremost for herself.

The documentary interviews Becket, who gained a following, and some friends and fans.

To be honest I didn’t watch the program because of the paywall, but I saw a clip on YouTube. Many years ago I saw a news item about Marta Becket. She wasn’t sure anyone would come to see her dance, so she painted an elaborate mural of an audience all over the walls and began by dancing alone. This put me immediately in mind of my favorite author Ray Bradbury and I may even have written calling it to his attention but if so I don’t recall him responding.

Consequently I was delighted to see Ray Bradbury appear in this film. He discovered Amargosa on a trip through the desert and was thrilled by Marta Becket’s vision.

This is a unique story and looks like a good documentary.