Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance

SEASON 2008 HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN ANNOUNCED!

Elvis & other MEN – June 26-28;

Hurricane & other forces of nature – August 7-9

All performances will take place at 8:00 p.m. at the Diana Wortham Theater in Asheville, NC, with the exception of June 26th, which will begin at 7:30pm.

To purchase tickets, call 828-257-4530 or visit dwtheatre.com. For more information on Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, call 828-252-6342 or visit terpsicorps.org.

Elvis & other men – June 26-28

In an art form traditionally run by men and populated primarily by women, artistic director Heather Maloy is turning dance on its ear. The company has decided to use their June show, Elvis & other men, to celebrate the dynamic power of the male dancer. Nine men from companies such as Pittsburgh Ballet, Balletmet, Nashville Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre will be coming together to perform a repertoire free of women.

The evening will pay homage to men, in all their forms…

Every Man – Salvatore Aiello’s critically acclaimed masterpiece “Journey” uses a corps of nine men to show the voyage of man as he progresses through the many phases of life.

The Performer - “Elvis has Left the Building” takes an alternately campy and thought-provoking look at the trappings of celebrity.

The Business Man - “Run Ragged” takes a comedic look at the day to day competition and stress of the workplace.

The Working Man – “Train” is inspired by the strength and determination of the men who truly embody the term ‘worker’ with their bodies, hearts, and souls.

The Young Man – “Ugly” uses the music of the Violent Femmes to portray the good, the bad, and the ugly of youth. The music will be performed live by Asheville’s own Holiday Childress of the Goodies, pairing up with the ladies of Ménage to put their own spin on the classic tunes.

Hurricane & other forces of nature – August 7-9

Terpsicorps’ August show features the Asheville premiere of Maloy’s award-winning “Hurricane.” The piece, created for the 21st Century Choreographic Competition in April, will be restaged for Terpsicorps. The idea for “Hurricane” grew out of the climate crisis that is becoming increasingly apparent in today’s world. The choreography embodies the strength, patterns, and progression of a hurricane from its beginnings at sea to its aftermath on land. Footage of actual hurricanes will swirl around the dancers adding to the atmosphere of a storm, with recorded music by Godspeed You Black Emperor!, projections by G. Craig Hobbs, and costumes by Asheville’s premiere fashion designer R. Brooke Priddy.

The remainder of the August program features a variety of works that explore the way man views both nature and technology. Salvatore Aiello’s “Afternoon of a Faun” portrays the mythological faun; a curious, mischievous half man, half beast that at one time embodied man’s wonder at the mysteries of nature. The Terpsicorps favorite, “Couch Potatoes” is an absurdly funny poke at the TV generation who have managed to resist any connection with the natural world.

The world premiere of “The Second Line” closes the show. Until recently, New Orleans has been known first and foremost for their music. This became second in line to images of a disaster zone after Katrina ravaged the city. The Second Line is what the dancers who follow the musicians in a New Orleans parade are called. Maloy is collaborating with New Orleans parade musicians who have lived through the disaster and are still fighting the devastating effects. The Terpsicorps dancers will be the Second Line of dancers following the musicians, but they will also represent the tenacity of the people who must face the ’death’ of their city as they once knew it. The work is created as a statement of hope for the future, and like a New Orleans funeral, a celebration of rebirth.