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(04/07/13 6:34pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson returned to the IU Auditorium stage for the first time since 2004 for a one-night set Saturday, opened by Pegi Young and the Survivors.The show began at 7:30 p.m. with Young and her band. Their set included songs such as “Love Like Water” and “Number Nine Train,” featuring a harmonica solo from Nelson’s harmonica player, Mickey Rafael. Young also performed “Feel Just Like a Memory,” which her group recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. Nelson and his band, the Family, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. and were greeted by a standing ovation from the nearly full auditorium. “Hello, there,” Nelson said to the crowd. “It’s been a long, long time.”The set opened with “Whiskey River,” and as Nelson and his band began the song, a Texas flag dropped behind them, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.One of Nelson’s most popular songs from the crowd’s standpoint was “Beer for My Horses.” Nelson dropped out of the chorus of the song, “whiskey for my men, beer for my horses,” to allow the audience to shout it back at him. Nelson followed that song with an uninterrupted three-song set, featuring “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Crazy” and his collaboration with blues legend B.B. King, “Night Life.” Nelson’s seamless transitions between each song merited cheers from audience members.One of the more surprising moments of the night was Nelson’s cover of Ray Charles’ hit, “Georgia On My Mind.” The nearly acoustic song, with minimal percussion, featured dim lighting and set a peaceful ambiance throughout the auditorium. Nelson and his group kicked the energy back up with another cover, this time of country singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall’s “I’m a Show Shine Man.” During the song, Nelson took his red bandana from his head and threw it at an audience member in the first few rows. Nelson’s career has spanned more than six decades and has earned him respect from music lovers of all genres. Bloomington resident Rachel Kearney said she has been a fan of Nelson’s for years, even though her taste in music is not entirely in line with Nelson’s style. “I adore music, especially opera and classical music,” Kearney said. “But I love Willie Nelson. His music is from the heart. It tells about his rough life and disappointments. It speaks directly to the heart.”Opportunities to see Nelson in Bloomington are rare, as Nelson’s last performance here was nine years ago. Kearney said she jumped on the opportunity to see Nelson as soon as she found out he would be playing in the Bloomington area.“I’ve followed him for 35 years, and there aren’t many opportunities to see him live here,” she said. “I didn’t want to pass up seeing a legend.”
(04/05/13 3:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson returns to the IU Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Fellow singer-songwriter Pegi Young and her band, the Survivors, will open for Nelson.With a career that spans more than 60 years, Nelson has released more than 200 albums and won 37 music industry awards, seven of which are Grammys. Nelson’s performance Saturday night will feature fan favorites as well as new music from his album “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” played alongside his touring and recording group, the Family. The album is scheduled to be released April 16.Maria Talbert, associate director of the IU Auditorium, said the venue has been working with Nelson’s concert promoter, New Covenant Productions, since summer 2012 to bring Nelson to Bloomington.“We were thrilled that we were able to find a date that would work,” Talbert said. “Willie Nelson is a legendary performer who we were certain our audience would love to see again on our stage.”After performances at the IU Auditorium in 2001 and 2004, Talbert said Nelson’s reputation among the Bloomington community will draw a sizable turnout.“The combined talent on the stage on Saturday will truly make for an unforgettable, nostalgic and inspiring evening of incredible music,” she said.Talbert said Nelson is a true talent whose music has withstood the test of time, and that alone should allow for an enjoyable evening of entertainment for all.“In addition to his incredible talent for writing and performing music that has spanned across generations starting in the ’60s, I believe people really embrace the multifaceted life he has led as not only a musician but also as an author, poet, actor and activist,” she said. “He is truly a living legend.”As of April 4, tickets are still available through the IU Auditorium, and prices start at $39. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. — Carolyn Crowcroft
(03/21/13 3:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The spring season of the IU Auditorium will come to a climax April 25.Eve Ensler, author of the international hit “The Vagina Monologues,” will speak at the auditorium as part of the Ralph L. Collins Memorial Lecture Series.“We are thrilled to welcome Eve Ensler to the IU campus,” Department of Theatre and Drama chair Jonathan Michaelsen said. “In choosing her to be the 2013 Ralph Collins Lecturer, we are committed not only to providing theater and drama students the opportunity to interact and learn from an outstanding playwright, but also Ensler will have much to offer many other disciplines at IU. Her record of social activism is remarkable, and she is internationally known for her work. She will also speak meaningfully to many in the Bloomington community, making this a wonderful town and gown event.” Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” adaptations have experienced sold-out runs in Broadway, London, Mexico City and Paris. Current versions exist in 48 languages and are performed in 140 countries.Since releasing “Monologues” in 1996, Ensler has become an activist. Her primary activist creation is “V-Day,” a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. “We are proud to partner with the School of Theatre and Drama to present such an important voice in the fight for women’s rights worldwide,” IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said. “Ms. Ensler’s role as a playwright, artist and activist has been uniquely influential, and we look forward to sharing her experiences and insights with our students and the Bloomington community.”Following her lecture, Ensler will participate in a 60-minute meet-and-greet and book signing opportunity in recognition of her upcoming publication “In the Body of the World: A Memoir,” set for widespread release April 30. Audience members will be able to purchase the book before it is released to the general public.The event will be free and open to the public.
(03/19/13 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and members of The Silk Road Ensemble took to the stage at the IU Auditorium and were welcomed by the auditorium’s sold-out crowd Monday night. The ensemble, founded by Ma in 2000, performed six classical pieces that reflected the musical and cultural diversity of the ensemble’s 16 members. The group opened with “Side In Side Out,” composed by Japanese musician Kojiro Umezaki, who plays the shakuachi, a Japanese flute, in the orchestra. The number featured Umezaki as well as other members of the group and provided an energetic start to the night. A fun-loving energy translated to the performance while the members addressed the audience. Cellist Eric Jacobsen playfully referred to himself as “the other cellist” in the group and expressed how happy the ensemble was to be back in Bloomington. The second piece, “Atashgah,” was written by another ensemble member, violinist Colin Jacobsen. The piece was inspired by Jacobsen’s visit to Iran in 2004, when he heard Iranian kamancheh player and Silk Road member Kayhan Kalhor play. The piece was written to feature the kamancheh as well as Western strings.The next musical performance followed with “Silk Road Suite,” which featured four movements: “Rustem,” “Rajasthani Traditional,” “Kali Sara” and “Turceasca.” The piece featured a number of composers, and ensemble member Sandeep Das acted as arranger on “Rajasthani Traditional.”The ensemble’s fourth piece, “Playlist for an Extreme Occasion,” was written for them in 2012 by New York composer and jazz pianist Vijay Iyer. In keeping with the group’s mission to promote the appreciation of culture and the arts across the world, the Silk Road Ensemble performed a Japanese piece, “Tsuru no Ongaeshi.” Meaning “Repayment from a Crane,” the song was composed by Umezaki and inspired by a classic Japanese story of the same name. The performance ended with “Suite from Book of Angels,” a compilation of various short pieces by American composer John Zorn that the group put its own spin on by arranging them itself. Kalhor’s arrangement made its debut during the recent concert tour. The Silk Road Ensemble features members from 20 countries all over the world, including Asia, Europe and the Americas. The group, under Ma’s artistic direction, strives to explore contemporary music from each other’s countries and celebrate both the similarities and differences that encompass world music. Together, The Silk Road Ensemble has toured around the world and recorded and released five albums. The 2011 record “Off the Map” received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album. The attraction of Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble was enough to get people from outside Indiana to turn up to the IU Auditorium.Christine Kim, a student at the University of Minnesota, said she decided to come after her friend, who goes to IU, offered her tickets.“I like Yo-Yo Ma,” Kim said. “He’s an enthusiastic musician. I really want to hear his music.”The auditorium’s full house also held music lovers who shared the ensemble’s appreciation for world music. Junior Elizabeth McClary is an India studies and East Asian languages and cultures major at IU. She said she is fascinated by world cultures, which in part drew her to the show Monday night.“An event like this is right up my alley,” McClary said. “I like fusion music, and I think projects like this are really interesting.”
(03/07/13 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical comedy “Spamalot” made its return to the IU Auditorium on Wednesday night to a nearly full house of students and Bloomington residents.The show, created by original Monty Python member Eric Idle, advertises itself as being “lovingly ripped off” from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The show follows the misadventures of King Arthur, played by Arthur Rowan. Throughout the course of the musical, Arthur hastily assembles his Knights of the Round Table, travels to Camelot and searches for the Holy Grail. Many characters from the film, including the Knights of the Round Table — Sir Lancelot, Patsy, Sir Robin and Sir Dennis Galahad — return in the musical adaptation. The show also introduces new characters into the Monty Python world, like the Lady of the Lake, who presents Arthur with the sword Excalibur that, according to Arthur, makes him king of Britain.New songs by Idle and John Du Prez were written for the musical to go along with the familiar plot line. Songs like “I Am Not Dead Yet,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Knights of the Round Table” received many laughs from audience members. Bloomington resident Doug Crandell said he’s been a fan of Monty Python’s work for a long time, yet Wednesday’s performance was the first time he had ever seen “Spamalot.”“I’ve enjoyed Monty Python and their films,” Crandell said. “I’ve never seen ‘Spamalot,’ but members of my family have. I’m hoping it’s going to be a funny, good time.”IU freshman Cori Leader said she was a big fan of Monty Python as well and that she liked “Spamalot” so much the first time she saw it, she decided to see it again.“I love Eric Idle,” Leader said. “He is Monty Python. I also really like the songs. My favorite song is the song with the knights. It’s a silly song, and it’s stuck out in my mind from the first time I saw it.”The traveling cast of “Spamalot” will continue performing throughout the United States through April. Stops for the musical include Minneapolis, Denver and Austin, Texas. Tickets can be purchased through the show’s website, montypythonsspamalot.com.
(03/06/13 2:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical “Spamalot” will return to the IU Auditorium for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. today.The musical draws inspiration from notable people, moments in history and the Monty Python film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” to produce a comically serious spoof on the musical. The show centers mainly around the legend of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. References to Monty Python and modern fixtures in pop culture update the ancient story and add to the comedy of the production.Cast member Thomas DeMarcus, who has been part of the Monty Python family by touring with “Spamalot” for the past three years, said the fond memories he had of Monty Python’s comedy made him want to be a part of this show’s traveling cast.“I grew up on Monty Python,” DeMarcus said. “My parents instilled a comedy feed in me at young age. I also worked at a Blockbuster, and I remember watching ‘The Holy Grail.’ I’d never seen a movie like that. It was so off-the-wall and silly, but there was a real truth to it.”DeMarcus, whose theater work has consisted mostly of dramatic plays, said the silly atmosphere found in “Spamalot” was a refreshing change of pace for his career.“It’s so much fun to get out there and take on a silly wig or fat suit and come out and be this real person,” he said. “You’re not trying to be funny. I’m not a trained dancer by any sort, but the dancing is silly and the singing is fun. It’s not like your typical Broadway musical, which works in its favor.”DeMarcus said he has performed this show almost 500 times, but it’s the inventive comedy and the energy that the audience seems to have that makes the show feel fun and fresh every time. “We get a very different audience compared to most shows I’ve done,” he said. “It’s more of a frat atmosphere. There are times where one character will come on and the audience starts clapping because they know what’s coming. It makes you feel like a rock star.”DeMarcus said he encourages people to come out for the chance to escape from their lives for two hours.“People can laugh at our silly characters and enjoy the songs,” he said. “The message of the show is to ‘always look on the bright side of life.’ I think for those two hours the audience is inside, they can expect a PG-13, very clean, family-friendly trip down memory lane for Monty Python fans.”
(03/05/13 9:27pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical “Spamalot” will return to the IU Auditorium for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. today.The musical draws inspiration from notable people, moments in history and the Monty Python film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” to produce a comically serious spoof on the traditional musical. The show centers mainly around the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. References to the Monty Python film and modern fixtures in pop culture update the ancient story and add to the comedy of the production.Cast member Thomas DeMarcus, who has been a part of the Monty Python family by touring with “Spamalot” for the past three years, said the fond memories he had of Monty Python’s comedy made him want to be a part of this show’s traveling cast.“I grew up on Monty Python,” DeMarcus said. “My parents instilled a comedy feed in me at young age. I also worked at a Blockbuster, and I remember watching ‘The Holy Grail.’ I’d never seen a movie like that. It was so off-the-wall and silly, but there was a real truth to it.”DeMarcus, whose theater work has consisted mostly of dramatic plays, said the silly atmosphere found in “Spamalot” was a refreshing change of pace for his career.“It’s so much fun to get out there and take on a silly wig or fat suit and come out and be this real person,” he said. “You’re not trying to be funny. I’m not a trained dancer by any sort, but the dancing is silly and the singing is fun. It’s not like your typical Broadway musical, which works in its favor.”DeMarcus said he has performed this show almost 500 times in his life, but it’s the inventive comedy and the energy that the audience seems to have that makes the show feel fun and fresh every single time. “We get a very different audience compared to most shows I’ve done,” he said. “It’s more of a frat atmosphere. There are times where one character will come on and the audience starts clapping because they know what’s coming. It makes you feel like a rock star.”Tickets for the show are on sale at the IU Auditorium box office and start at $20 for students and $38 for the general public. DeMarcus said he encourages people to come out for the chance to escape from their lives for two hours.“People can laugh at our silly characters and enjoy the songs,” he said. “The message of the show is to ‘always look on the bright side of life.’ I think for those two hours the audience is inside, they can expect a PG-13, very clean, family-friendly trip down memory lane for Monty Python fans.”
(02/27/13 5:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Children dressed as Peter, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook filled the IU Auditorium Tuesday night as the musical “Peter Pan” began its two-night run on campus.Starring famed Broadway actress Cathy Rigby as the boy who won’t grow up, “Peter Pan” follows the storyline made famous by the James M. Barrie story and the Disney animated film. Peter flies into Wendy’s bedroom, Michael and John one night and whisks them off on a trip to Neverland, where children never grow up and parents are absent.For the musical, a new score and musical numbers were written to accompany the storyline. Songs like “I Gotta Crow,” “I’m Flying” and “I Won’t Grow Up” add to the story and the carefree life Peter and the Lost Boys lead. Along with the new songs, the show incorporated dance and aerial stunts. Rigby twirled and flipped through the air while she sang, and a group of Indians performed a dance number to welcome the audience to Neverland, including leaps and death-defying drops.The audience for the family-friendly musical primarily consisted of parents and grandparents with kids eager to see the show. Katie Stephens, 9, from Ellettsville, Ind., came with her grandmother. She said she was excited to see the show and likes coming to see shows at the IU Auditorium.“It’s a very nice place to see things,” Stephens said. “I want to see some amazing things, like Peter flying through the air.”Stephens said Peter Pan is one of her favorite Disney movies and her favorite character is Tinkerbell.“She’s kind and outgoing,” she said. “I like how she makes things out of stuff you find on the ground.”Bloomington resident Lisa Lenz came with her three children in tow and said the story has been a family favorite for years.“My husband and I buy season tickets for the IU Auditorium every year,” Lenz said. “We’re curious about the songs and curious to see if it’s anything like the Disney movie. We like the story, and the kids are really excited about seeing it.”
(02/24/13 10:44pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>At 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, the Broadway musical “Peter Pan” will fly through the IU Auditorium. Starring Cathy Rigby as Peter, the show follows the story of a boy who never grew up and his adventures with the Darling children in his home, Neverland. The show stays true to the storyline of the J. M. Barie book and Disney film, with an original score made for the musical. Cast member Kim Crosby has played Mrs. Darling and grown-up Wendy in the show for the last four years. In a phone interview, Crosby shared how she joined the musical’s cast, what it’s like play a mother and what an honor it is to work alongside Cathy Rigby.IDS How did you become a part of the “Peter Pan” cast?CROSBY I was living in Springfield, Miss. Cathy and her husband (Tom Mason) were staging the show in Missouri. Word came that she was casting locally. We got a call, and they asked if my husband and I would be part of it. My husband played Captain Hook, and I played Mrs. Darling for two summers in Branson, Miss. IDS Describe your role in the play.CROSBY I play Mrs. Darling, and she is the mother of the children. She has caught sight of Peter Pan before, and she explains having seen Peter and what has happened. She’s fearful that he might be returning. She gets the ball rolling story-wise. She and her husband have to go to dinner, and once they leave, that’s when Peter comes. She doesn’t see the children for a couple years after that. When we see her again is in the last scene when the children return. She’s convinced they’ll never return, so it’s a happy homecoming.I also play an older Wendy. After the children come home, Peter told Wendy before he left that he would come for her to help him do the spring cleaning. He doesn’t come back for many years. She’s grown older and he’s stayed the same. It’s poignant when he returns. She’s grown up and has a daughter who’s about her age when she met him. Her daughter goes back to Neverland with Peter. It’s a nice little role. It bookends the entire play.IDS How does this role compare to other roles you’ve played in the past?CROSBY I’ve played English women before. I played Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” But I’ve never played a mother. Most of the roles I’ve played in the bulk of my career have been ingénues and leading ladies. I am a mother of three children, so I identify with the character in a way I couldn’t have years ago. As an actor, you always want something interesting and essential in any show. It’s nice to have a show where I don’t have to carry the story on my shoulders. It’s a good part, otherwise I wouldn’t still be a part of it.IDS What do you think audience members will like about the show?CROSBY The most overwhelming response is “isn’t Cathy amazing?” She is a rare specimen of a performer. She’s incredibly agile. The greatest reaction is to her charm and skill and acting ability. She’ll far exceed expectations. It’s wonderful to see a beautifully crafted stage musical. There are many book scenes, a wonderful script and surprisingly touching moments. People will be surprised at how taken they are with the heart of the piece. It speaks a lot of truth. People are obsessed with youth, and Peter holds on to that at the expense of his happiness. He doesn’t want to grow up, but the rest of the world does. It’s wonderfully humorous. There’s terrific dancing and a talented cast of actors and singer/dancers. It hits the ground running, and there isn’t a lull in the action at all. Hopefully people will be surprised at how entertained they are.Tickers start at $38 for adults and $20 for children and IU students and can be purchased at the IU Auditorium Box Office.
(02/24/13 8:18pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Auditorium Assistant Guest Services Manager Brad Lufkin began the usher meeting in the foyer of the IU Auditorium for the 54 volunteer ushers, including junior Courtney Litchfield, who signed up to work the show “Traces” Feb. 16. During the meeting, Lufkin updated the ushers on information such as the lack of an intermission during the show and not conducting late seating once the show started. After the meeting, Litchfield made her way to the orchestra group she had been placed in when signing in. Balcony, mezzanine and orchestra ushers, such as Litchfield, are responsible for seating patrons at the IU Auditorium. Litchfield has been ushering at the IU Auditorium since her first semester here, six semesters ago. “I’ve done theater since I was in preschool,” Litchfield said. “I decided to usher so I could see the shows for free and stay involved in theater as much as I could.”Through ushering for the Auditorium, Litchfield has been able to see many shows for free. She said some of her favorites have been “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Chicago,” “Rock of Ages” and “Cirque Dreams Holidaze.”Once all of the ushers were together in their groups, student managers guided each group through its responsibilities for the evening. Student managers are IU students who were once volunteer ushers and now get paid to orient the volunteer ushers on how the evening will go and make sure everything runs smoothly, senior and Student Manager Lauren Sweeney said. Their main goal is to make the experience for patrons the best it possibly can be. When one of the student managers asked the orchestra ushers if anyone in the group would be willing to be in the “vom,” Litchfield said she was one of the first to volunteer. Vomitoriums, or voms, is a term still used to describe the hallways leading into the theater or auditorium.“Back in ancient Greece or Rome, the shows would be so vile that they would have hallways between seating for people to run out and vomit,” Litchfield said.The voms led back into a hallway away from the rest of the orchestra group where they were assigned a door labeled A-E. The voms’ responsibility is to constantly stand in the doorway, check guests’ tickets as they enter and hand the tickets to an usher who then leads them to their seats. After all the ushers understood their responsibilities for the evening, the only thing left for them to do was wait for the doors to open to the public. Litchfield stood with the others responsible for ushering at Door C. They talked about what they had eaten for dinner, what they had heard about the show and memories from sold-out shows they had ushered where they had to stand in the back hallway to watch because there were no empty seats. About 10 minutes before the doors opened, the ushers were able to go into the Auditorium, prepare to welcome guests and watch the end of the “Traces” rehearsal. Then, it was finally time to start seating the guests.Immediately, people filled the Auditorium. Jazz music played while people talked and laughed. Ushers quickly seated people then returned to the voms to seat another group. Some guests stood in line for concessions. Just as suddenly as seating began, the lights dimmed and a voice came over the intercom. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the IU Auditorium.”Litchfield and the rest of the ushers chatted in a back room while waiting for a student manager to come lead them to their seats.Once the ushers gathered their belongings, a student manager took them to their seats in the mezzanine, ushering them in turn. Litchfield sat with the other ushers and was able to add another show to her growing list of performances watched at the IU Auditorium.
(02/17/13 6:48pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When hearing the word “circus,” many people think of elephants doing handstands and clowns in colorful costumes riding around on unicycles. But what might a circus look like if the performers had the final say?Enter Traces.On Friday and Saturday, Traces, a spectacle performance show, took over the IU Auditorium with its high-flying circus show. The 90-minute show was a product of 7 Fingers, a group of seven acrobats and circus performers which comprise the cast of Traces. All of their shows, including previous ones like “Loft,” “La Vie and “Psy,” abandon the traditional circus atmosphere in favor of a more intimate setting for the performers to connect with the audience. Although not yet a household name, the show still drew a sizable crowd to the IU Auditorium. Bloomington resident Carla Chism, who attended the show with her daughter Taylor, said she heard about the show after seeing an advertisement at the IU Auditorium’s Rock of Ages show in December.“We thought it might look neat,” Chism said. “It looked like a Cirque du Soleil kind of show.”Like Chism, second-year graduate student Samantha McClellan said she was also drawn to the show’s spectacle.“I’ve seen Stomp and it was amazing,” McClellan said. “I really came out of curiosity more than anything else.”In Traces, the show started with a high-energy dance number in an abandoned warehouse setting before a microphone dropped down from the ceiling. With it, the performers were able to introduce themselves to the audience and share anecdotes about their lives. The performers shared tales about everything from their grandfather’s smell to their love lives before transitioning into acrobatic stunts, including a balancing act on a giant ring, aerial routines and stunt performances involving basketballs, skateboards and rollerblades. The performers used the audience as well as their acts to share even more about themselves. Performer Mathieu Cloutier revealed he was a romantic before pulling out an acoustic guitar to serenade the crowd. The only female in the cast, Valérie Benoît-Charbonneau, told of her flirtatious nature before hopping on the lap of an audience member. The audience gave the performers a standing ovation both nights, IU Auditorium Associate Director Maria Talbert said. She said she was very pleased with the audience’s overall reception of the show.“It’s not yet a household name, so people here were adventurous,” Talbert said. “Based on the standing ovation the show got both nights, I’d say the crowd was very pleased with the show.”Talbert said the show exceeded her expectations and was able to both move and entertain her.“I really appreciated the emotional element of it,” she said. “The humor behind a lot of what they were doing and saying was a lot of fun. I left the show feeling very out of shape, but I loved every aspect of it.”
(02/15/13 8:46pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Urban acrobatics show “Traces” will bring its fusion of circus and street performance to the IU Auditorium for the first time 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.“Traces” incorporates the hodge-podge elements of contemporary dance, music from artists like Radiohead, VAST and Blackalicious, as well as theater and poetry into its acrobatic showcase. Rather than moving from trick-to-trick, the performance is broken up by poetic and narrative interjections from performers. Described as “Cirque du Soleil meets Stomp” by IU Auditorium Associate Director Maria Talbert, the show follows its seven performers as they share their personal stories with the audience through dance and acrobatic displays. “The name ‘Traces’ come from the fact that the heart of the show is about these seven people that come across each other,” Talbert said. “It’s about the traces or things they leave one each other.”Many of the performers have ties to spectacle shows like Cirque. What sets Traces apart and adds to the overall show is the incorporation of the performers’ true, heartfelt stories, Talbert said.“There’s a lot of meaning and a lot of heart,” she said. “After witnessing each one of these performer’s personal stories, people will walk away feel entertained and inspired.”Although it might not be as widely recognized as Cirque du Soleil or the Ringling Brothers company, Talbert said patrons should still make an effort to come out and see the show.Tickets start at $28 for adults and $16 for students and can be purchased at the IU Auditorium box office. “It’s one of those shows that is not yet a household name, but I’m sure it will be,” she said. “This is an opportunity to see the show before it gets really big. It’s also a chance to brag to your friends that you saw it before it got big.”
(02/04/13 2:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Silence is golden.When the Taylor 2 dance ensemble took the stage Friday night at the IU Auditorium, the troupe showcased decades of choreography from famed dance maker Paul Taylor.The bodies did all the talking. “It was wonderful to have a large audience,” Rehearsal Director Ruth Andrien said of the Bloomington crowd. “The larger house really charges the dancers on.”The Taylor 2 dancers performed in front of minimalist backdrops that varied between shades of pastel blue and seductive red lighting. Their use of costumes and varied movements told the tales of Taylor’s dances.The first act of the night was Taylor’s “Aureole,” written early in his career in 1962. A foundational piece, the dancers wore white sheer and performed with extended arm movements to George Frideric Handel’s classical music.“The first one didn’t impress me quite as much,” 13-year-old ballet dancer and audience member Sarah Bredemeyer said. “I felt like I was getting set up for something not-that-great, but it kept getting progressively better.”As the evening progressed through Taylor’s second act “Images” (1977) and third act “Piazzola Caldera,” (1997) the scenes became more colorful and vibrant, utilizing flamboyant costumes and romantic tension. “I especially liked the second part because it felt like it was building up to something amazing,” attendee Zoe Layton said. “I love the build-up.”“Images” illustrated the Minoan period of Greek society with bright dresses and spiritual dance themes. Some of the troupe’s dancers said they had a difficult time capturing the essence of the scene.“When I learned it, I did everything correctly,” troupe performer Christina Lynch Markham said. “And when Paul saw it, he said ‘you need to be hallucinating.’”Markham’s dance character was designed to portray mental unrest.“I’m actually hitting myself,” Markham said. “It’s about being ritualistic and abusing myself.”When Taylor constructs dance routines for his company, his methodology and technique can be secretive, Andrien said. Taylor often brings a sculpture into the studio for inspiration.“He does a lot of research but never talks about it,” Andrien said.Taylor 2, which tours the world as a six-member representation of Taylor’s primary company, faces the struggle of travel interfering with new routines. At any given point, the troupe hits the road with up to 15 dances in its repertoire. Dancers are given DVDs with videos of choreography to memorize. “We only have one week to learn the entire piece, so you have to remember everything,” troupe performer Rei Akazawa said. The troupe’s efforts were met with applause after every movement, sometimes meriting an outburst of clapping after an impressive move. Andrien said she attributes the skills of the troupe’s dancers to direct inspiration.“His really great dancers come from really great music,” she said.
(01/31/13 3:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Taylor 2, a dance troupe that performs the work of American choreographer Paul Taylor, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the IU Auditorium. Taylor 2’s routines span across several decades of Taylor’s work. The original performance was formed in 1993 with 16 members.A three-day residency where the dancers are offering master classes to IU’s dance majors and minors is accompanying the performance. On Wednesday, they taught dance classes at the School of Public Health building.“People that want to study dance at a college have the opportunity of guest partners,” said Ruth Andrien, Taylor 2’s company director.The troupe performed with IU Conservatory students, had a career panel and performed for IU students in various HPER classes. Andrien travels with the troupe. Once a Taylor dancer herself, Andrien said she knows what it is like to be a dancer and be influenced by other dancers. Based on her past experiences, she said how much of an asset it would be for IU’s dancers to be exposed to the troupe’s classes.“Paul Taylor is considered to be the world’s leading choreographer, and even if they don’t become dancers in the Taylor company, exposure to diverse choreographic styles will help them in any future endeavor,” she said.Despite offering the master classes for IU students, troupe members said the highlight of their stay in Bloomington will be their performance Friday. This is the first time the Taylor 2 crew has worked in Bloomington, though they have performed in a variety of locations such as Boston, New York City and Philadelphia, as well as internationally in Africa and India. Andrien said she is eager for her dancers to work on the IU Auditorium’s “opera”-like stage.“We dance on a lot of small, tiny stages, and we have an actual professional theater here,” Andrien said.Andrien said the choreography Taylor 2 uses is meant to take place on a medium-to-large sized stage, much like the stage inside the IU Auditorium. However, she said the troupe’s adaptability makes it stand out. Manuel Sanchez, a Taylor 2 dancer, said he agrees with that idea.“We’ve done ‘Esplanade’ in a hallway,” Sanchez said, using musical sounds and gestures to tell the story. “We went to a hospital. It was a cancer ward, and the little kids couldn’t really leave their rooms. We did the whole first section with a boom-box.”Andrian said she is thrilled to have her dancers perform on campus Friday. “We are very excited,” she said. “Especially because it’s such a beautiful theater.”
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