The L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) teams up with the
a capella group Sonos in a double bill with BODYTRAFFIC to present “MADE IN L.A.†, an evening of contemporary dance, theatre, and music highlighting the unique and dynamic visions of these young, vivacious companies of Los Angeles, on Friday, June 18, 2010, 8:30 p.m., at the 2010 Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season in Hollywood.
The program boasts a double bill, first with the Ford Amphitheatre premiere of “Transfigured Night†presented by BODYTRAFFIC with choreography by renowned Israeli choreographers Guy Weizman and Roni Haver, performed to Arnold Schoenberg’s “Verklarte Nacht.†The second have offeres the world premiere of “GODS AND MARIONETTES” presented by LACDC, with co-direction and choreography by Kate Hutter, co-direction and text by David Bridel, and music composed and performed live by SONOS a capella group.
The work of LACDC and BODYTRAFFIC is well suited for the unique features of the Ford Amphitheatre with their large casts, engaging set pieces and the collaboration of multiple disciplines. The choreographers’ work w ill be enriched by the outdoor environment of the Ford space expanding on the scope of how each piece is staged and how audiences come in contact with the performers. The vision of both companies is to create a captivating, visceral dance experience for audiences of all ages making the work visually intoxicating while grappling with potent and important stories of struggle and the prevailing will of the human spirit. LACDC and BODYTRAFFIC are committed to providing Los Angeles with today’s most innovative dance productions performed by local artists at the top of their field. These companies have acquired a following through self-producing and presentations, and are honored to extend their work to viewers who might not have otherwise found them in venues outside of the Ford Amphitheatre, as well as bring their current audiences to this exciting outdoor venue. Also, by sharing the program, LACDC with Sonos and BODYTRAFFIC will help unify the Los Angeles arts community and build stronger connections with audiences interested in multi-disciplinary performances.
Inspired by one of the founding myths of Greek Tragedy, “Gods and Marionettes,” performed by LACDC, fuses song, dance and theatre in a captivating and terrifying new version of the fall of the House of Atreus. When tragedy befalls a family and a nation, who is responsible – the men and women whose decisions lead to chaos? Or the Gods – mischievous, whimsical, and fatally equipped with power and authority? Telling a tale both ancient and modern, a tale of fatalism and freewill, “Gods and Marionettes” pits mortals and immortals against each other in a desperate battle for control the world. The cast will include six dancers and six vocalists and one actor who guide the audience through the onstage experience adding fun facts and “pop-ups†about the story of Electra in correlation to current events.
Creating “Gods and Marionettes” to be premiered at the Ford Amphitheatre, will be an exciting venture since the work, following its roots in Greek theatre, is meant to be performed in an amphitheatre and therefore will be presented in its prime environment where vocalists and dancers can come in contact with the environment and the audience as “mortals” as well as capitalize on the grandeur of the space to depict the “gods”. Also, having performed at the Ford once before, choreographer Kate Hutter understands the space well and can choreograph with its unique attributes in mind.
“Transfigured Night” presented by BODYTRAFFIC is a 40-minute piece, inspired by the book “The Sabbath” by Abraham Joshua Heschel, depicting various ways people transcend trying times by keeping the “in-between” moments in life sacred and striking a significant balance between work and rest. Choreographed by Guy Weizman and Roni Haver who are both Israeli choreographers living and working in the Netherlands who focus on contemporary subjects with the aim to inspire, confront and touch the audience. The recurring theme in their work is personal liberation. After their start in the Bat Sheva Ensemble in Tel Aviv, they worked and inspired themselves with different dance groups in Berlin, Barcelona and Brussels. “Transfigured Night†is set to Verklarte Nacht, Arnold Schoenberg’s earliest important work. It is complex and passionate, and written in the romantic style. The cast includes six dancers. The set, designed by Ascon de Nijs, depicts crumbling architecture during World War II. It is made up of thirteen 12’ light poles that change angles throughout the piece. Swinda Reichelt designed the extremely bright and colorful costumes to contrast the serious nature of the music and movement.
“Transfigured Night” premiered on Tuesday, January 28, 2009 at the Sinai Temple in Westwood. While only 300 attendees were expected, over 600 people showed up to the standing room only performance. Debra Levine, dance critic for The Los Angeles Times, was moved to tears and described the performance as an “impressive debut [which] raised the artistic ante immeasurably.†Levine noted that “confident professionalism was in evidence across every performance element – décor, costume, lighting, and in the super-contemporary choreography requiring robust modern dance technique.â€
The Ford Amphitheatre will be a magnificent venue for “Transfigured Night”, which has only been performed in its entirety once before. During its premiere it was accompanied by a live string sextet from the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (all of whom also perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic). The Ford’s outdoor setting would greatly enhance the set and the unique design of the mobile light poles to transform the space, giving it a mysterious and futuristic feel.
Tickets for “Made in L.A.†are $25 general admission, purchased by June 11, $30 thereafter; $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under; and $75 VIP tickets with reserved preferred seating and a pre-performance wine and cheese reception. Purchase three or more Ford Theatre events and pay only $20. For tickets, log on to www.FordTheatres.org or call the Ford Box Office at (323) 461-3673. For VIP tickets, sponsorship opportunities, group tickets, and additional information, please call (310) 871-0621 or visit www.LADanceCo.org.
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East, Hollywood 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.
On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening. For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the “kiss and ride” area.
This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2009 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.
WHAT:
L.A. Contemporary Dance Company with Sonos, and BODYTRAFFIC
Present “Made in L.A.â€
An Evening of Contemporary Dance, Theatre and Music
DATE:
Friday, June 18, 8:30 PM
LOCATION:
Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East
Hollywood, CA 90068
TICKET PRICES:
$25 general admission by June 11, $30 thereafter; $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under;
Discounted group ticket sales; and $75 VIP tickets, reserved preferred seating and a pre-performance reception.
INFORMATION & TICKETS:
(323) 461-3673
www.LADanceCo.org
www.FordTheatres.org
