Hair-Raising Theatrical Experience Premieres at Velocity Dance Center April 1st
UMO Ensemble is proud to present “Rapunzel, A Radical Aerial Re-Telling,” written by Maria Glanz.
The question is not: who do you love?
But: who can you love?
This funny, sexy, poetic, and ultimately very thoughtful take on the classic fairy tale is a radical re-telling in the tradition of modern writers Anne Sexton and Jeanette Winterson, with a sizeable lump of “Fractured Fairly Tales” thrown in.
In Glanz’s version, all of the original elements are there: dashing prince, covetous witch, girl with the beautiful long hair locked in the tower. But this lyrical transformation of the fairy tale soon heads off into uncharted lands, as it explores the power dynamics of romantic love in all of its unexpected forms. Using tissu acrobatics (a form of aerial work involving long streams of fabric), this production fills the stage, and the air over it, with eroticism, music, comedy, and a few sad truths as well.
The cast includes UMO members Esther Edelman and David Godsey, guest performer Amy Rider, cellist Josh Neumann, and music and narration by John Osebold of the local art band sensation “Awesome!” Elizabeth Klob directs, and the show also features original music composed by Osebold and choreography by Laura Curry. Performer Edelman designed the aerial choreography, and set pieces are designed by Ela Lamblin of Lelavision.
UMO, based on Vashon Island, have been producing critically-acclaimed pieces that combines sly humor, stunning visual images, and astonishing physical theatre for over 18 years. Their image work has included puppetry, dance, LeCoq buffoon and clown work, and in the last few years, aerial performance on trapeze, hoop, swings, and tissu. They’re no stranger to fairy tale adaptation, having previously tackled The Brothers Grimm in “Expressions of the Spirit” at the Empty Space, as well as finding inspiration from the works of Alberto Calvino (“Cities,” On the Boards), Herman Hesse (“Caravan of Dreams”) and their own imaginations.
Who: UMO Ensemble presents:
What: Rapunzel, A Radical Aerial Re-Telling
Where: Velocity Dance Studio Main Stage, 915 E. Pine St. 2nd Floor
When: April 1-24, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Gala opening night 4/1 with music by Sambanovo.
How Much: $10-$14, Sun April 3 and 10, Pay-as-you-can. Gala ticket $20. Purchase in advance at brownpaperticket.com, or by calling 206/463-2128.
For more info on UMO and the show, visit our website, http://www.umo.org/.
Press contact: John Longenbaugh, jlongenb@blarg.net, (206) 323-7412.
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