Ever wondered what the creators of your favorite kids shows’ would do when unleashed in front of an adult audience? Here’s your chance to find out! This July, The Joyce is pleased to present work by artists whose talents are “truly animated.”
When not on stage whipping up another “uproarious fiesta of carefully choreographed mayhem” (Time Out New York), world-renowned theatrical action comedy duo, The Umbilical Brothers are the voices behind the award-winning animated kids’ TV show “Maisy.” They are also co-creators of “The Upside Down Show. ”
And, during their four-week run at The Joyce, international sensation Pilobolus Dance Theatre presents Dog-Id, a collaboration with Steven Banks, the head writer for the hilarious animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants.” One of three premieres this season, Dog-Id explores the phantasmagorical inner life of a young girl who gets swept up in a shifting world comprised only of lightness and dark.
The Umbilical Brothers’ advice for what audiences should take away from their kids’ shows seems fitting for these programs as well: “…a sense of wonder about every object, every sound, every person they come across. With a little imagination, everything doesn’t have to be as it seems. Sorry, that’s what we’d like the adults to take away from the show–the kids already do that.”
Joyce SoHo’s own Justin Wright caught up with Jan Bartoszek (whose company, Hedwig Dances, will perform at Joyce SoHo June 26-28) to talk about the company’s 25th anniversary, the collaborative process and boldly riding the NYC subways:
JW: I see that you’re premiering your work Night Blooming Jasmine here in NYC after success in other cities. Not only are you doing that, but you’re premiering works by Marianela Boan and a familiar face to us here at Joyce SoHo, Andrea Miller. Can you tell us a little bit about the pieces?
JB: In Night Blooming Jasmine I worked with nature imagery, images of nighttime, disappearing into the earth, becoming one with the world, intense sensuality of feeling. The dance’s title is taken from the flower of the same name. This flower has a powerful scent and blooms only at night. I built the movement phrases based on nature, integrating imagery from a favorite poet, Mary Oliver.
Marianela Boan’s work, Stampede, is about boundaries—being constrained by boundaries, breaking boundaries. The dance uses a set of crowd control barriers. Marianela is an astute observer of human behavior and she has woven many ideas into this dance. She worked with us this past December, shortly after the incident where shoppers were trampled at a Wal-Mart trying to be the first to buy a discounted TV. The dance has multiple dimensions. One could also read it as a political statement.
The Daily News‘ Patrick Huguenin offers a round up of quirky, exciting summer shows in New York City. Among the highlights are The Joyce Theater presentations of Umbilical Brothers and Pilobolus.
“Warm weather in New York brings out those freaky neighborhood denizens you haven’t seen in a while. The city’s summer performance scene is overrun by offbeat, unbelievable, outlandish performances, from mind readings to turbocharged mime. But hurry - blink and you’ll miss these tangy tastes of the bizarre (especially when they involve speeding arrows).”
This week in Gay City News, Gus Solomons jr talks about the two extraordinary talents sharing The Joyce stage in the coming week:
“Two exciting dance makers –– Nicholas Leichter and Larry Keigwin –– both irresistibly driven by rhythm, are sharing a week at The Joyce Theater, alternating days.
Both represent New York-style, highly physical, buoyant, joyful dancing with an intriguing edginess lurking just beneath the highly entertaining surface. But each has a distinct and distinctly appealing choreographic voice.”
Larry Keigwin’s “Love Songs” is set to heart wrenching music by Roy Orbison, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. We created an itunes playlist to help you get …in the mood for “Love”!
Last week, the Soundcheck Smackdown debate on WNYC.org focused on the growing trend of audience members texting friends, taking pictures, eating food, etc. in theaters and concert halls. There were compelling arguments from both sides. Listen to the show.
Share your thoughts with us: Do you welcome a more casual, friendlier air in theaters and concert halls or do you think standards of behavior are getting too relaxed?
We recently had a chance to catch up with Ben Munisteri and Rebecca Stenn to talk with them about their upcoming performance Chopped and Screwed. They’re working with an interesting premise for their collaboration, one that promises interesting results. Girlena Dubois, a dance writer and close friend helped us get a sneak peek with some questions for Ben and Rebecca along with a few of our own.
How did you two meet?
We’ve known each other for about 12 years—just from being in the same field. But in 2004, The Theater presented each of our companies as part of its final Altogether Different series. We were the only newcomers at the festival that year, so we bonded.
When did you two start remixing each other’s work?
This year. Over the last decade, Ben has remixed some of his own dances. He’d wanted to recompose another choreographer’s dances, but it was difficult to find a dance maker amenable to having his/her work chopped up and screwed back together again! But then last year Rebecca suggested that Ben remix one of her dances and he remix one of hers. In addition, Rebecca imagined a format where each choreographer would remix his/her own work. It’s been a long time in the making!
Veteran dancer and choreographer Camille A. Brown is back at Joyce SoHo with new work.
Every time the 29 year-old dancer and choreographer Camille A. Brown sets out on a new creative voyage she embarks from a different challenge. For her latest work, which premiers at the Joyce SoHo on June 4, Brown’s challenge was love.
Encore Magazine’s Mary Staub talks with Camille about her engagement at JoyceSoHo June 4-7. Read more.
Camille A. Brown’s Matchstick (photo: Steven Schreiber)
Leading up to the company’s NYC debut at The Joyce Theater June 2-7, we’d like to introduce you to the virtuosic dancers of Trey McIntyre Project. Today, meet Dylan, a former dancer with The Juilliard Dance Ensemble who trained at Sandy Stramonine School of Dance and The Juilliard School.
We will continue to introduce members of the company in the coming weeks. Check back often! And don’t forget to order your tickets to the show and so you can enjoy the dancers’ live performance!
The Joyce Theater Foundation, in association with The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and On the Boards (Seattle), is pleased to announce the 12 choreographers in each of the four cities who will participate in The A.W.A.R.D Show! 2009.
