A Weekend of Dance: NC Dance Theatre presents
Manhattan Moves South and Beauty & the Beast
September 20-23
Charlotte, N.C. (August 5, 2007) – North Carolina Dance Theatre (NC Dance Theatre) kicks off its
2007-2008 season with two exciting performances. Manhattan Moves South features works from three Manhattan-based choreographers and Beauty & the Beast delights children with its
enchanting tale.
Manhattan Moves South
Dates: Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 21, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Location: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: Students $10; General $27-$69
The season opens with the Charlotte premiere of Artifice by Dwight Rhoden, resident choreographer of NC Dance Theatre and artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Dance. Artifice is an abstract series of dance sketches, which are conveyed through the stories of a colorful cast of characters creating a circus-like atmosphere. Each character represents an idea in the mind of the ringmasters' imagination, and the ringmaster conducts the piece like it's his own personal symphony. The music is a mixture of Kronos Quartet, Club Foot Orchestra and other original compositions.
Alvin Ailey's classic Night Creature graces the stage as part of Manhattan Moves South. NC Dance Theatre has been chosen as the first and only American company to perform Night Creature other than the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Propelled by the exuberance of Duke Ellington’s symphonic score, Night Creature features sensual movements that evoke nocturnal characters.
Twyla Tharp’s Tony-Award-winning talents are showcased in Nine Sinatra Songs, featuring ballroom dances. This work presents a view of 1950s social dancing through the nostalgic and yet sharpened eyes of the 1980s. The timeless tunes of Ol’ Blue Eyes, paired with costumes designed by Oscar de la Renta, flash with the glamour of past and present ages. Each dancer in the work has a distinct personality, which fits well with the trademark diversity of NC Dance Theatre’s dancers. Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, president and artistic director of NC Dance Theatre, met Twyla Tharp in the 1980s while they were both choreographing for Olympic Champion ice-skater John Curry. Among Tharp’s Broadway credits are The Times They Are A-Changin’ and Movin’ Out.
Presented by Helms Mulliss Wicker with additional support provided by FedEx.
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Beauty & The Beast
Dates: Saturday, September 22, 2007, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 2007, at 2 p.m.
Location: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: Students $10; General $27-$69
Mark Diamond, program director for NC Dance Theatre’s second company, uses his gift of storytelling to bring the enchantment of Beauty & The Beast alive. “The most gallant and loving Prince is obscured by a curse, having him appear in the guise of an ugly beast,” said Diamond. The good-hearted Beauty’s love for the unbecoming Beast reminds us that “you can’t always judge a book by
its cover.”
Beauty & the Beast is part of the Matinee Magic Series. Through the Matinee Magic Series, NC Dance Theatre continues its commitment to providing quality family programming.
Matinee Magic Series presented by The Dale F. Halton Foundation.
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Purchase Tickets
Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased in three ways. Subscriptions to 2007-2008 season currently available.
Online: ncdance.org
By phone: 704.335.1010 (subscriptions)
704.372.1000 (single tickets)
In person: Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Box Office, Founders Hall
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Details:
Both of these performances are part of Charlotte SHOUT!
There are many interesting interview opportunities available at NC Dance Theatre in association with these performances. If interested, please contact Logan McSwain, communications manager, at 704.372.0101 x107 or lmcswain@ncdance.org.
North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.
North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported by individuals, the Arts & Science Council-Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Inc., corporations, local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about NC Dance Theatre visit ncdance.org
