Portland Ovations Presents Doug Varone and Dancers 2/16

Portland Ovations is pleased to present Doug Varone and Dancers on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:30 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium. Known for their dexterity, musicality and their impeccable performance instincts, Doug Varone and Dancers are one of the foremost modern dance companies of today.

Since 1986, Doug Varone and Dancers have displayed their expansive vision, versatility, and technical prowess during their live performances. Varone's kinetically thrilling dances make essential connections and mine the complexity of the human spirit. From the smallest gesture to full-throttle bursts of movement, Varone's work can literally take your breath away.

The program at Merrill Auditorium opens with one of Varone's most exuberant works, Lux. This piece is set to the music of Philip Glass and has been lauded by critics for its optimism and exultation. The second half of the program is the Maine premiere of Chapters from a Broken Novel, a new work co-commissioned by Portland Ovations and Bates Dance Festival. Chapters is based on a collection of phrases, snippets, quotes and vivid images that Varone has compiled or observed over the years, set to the music of composer and musician David van Tieghem.

At home in New York City, Doug Varone and Dancers is the resident company at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. On tour, the company has performed in more than 100 cities in 45 states across the U.S. and in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. In opera and theater, the company regularly collaborates on the many Varone-directed or choreographed productions that have been produced around the country during the last decade.

In addition to his work with his dance company, Doug Varone is known for choreographing productions at New York's Metropolitan Opera and fashion designer Geoffrey Beene's runway shows. He has also worked on television and film projects including the movie One Last Dance starring the late Patrick Swayze.

Portland Ovations' presentation of Doug Varone and Dancers is sponsored by New England Coffee, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Ovations Offstage is offering three additional activities to enhance the community's connection to the Doug Varone and Dancers performance. Beginning with a masterclass on Tuesday, February 15th, intermediate and advanced dancers work with members of the dance company, learning Doug Varone's unique style of movement. The masterclass is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Portland School of Ballet and emphasizes breath, strength, action and musicality. Interested dancers should contact the Director of Ovations Offstage, Gretchen Berg, at 207-773-3150 or by email at gberg@portlandovations.org. There is a $25 registration fee per dancer.

A free pre-performance lecture takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Merrill Auditorium Green Room. Creating Modern Dance in Maine is a lecture presented by dance educator and choreographer Nancy Salmon. Salmon explores Doug Varone's work and creative process as well as discusses an overview of the history of modern and post modern dance in Maine. Immediately after the performance, members of the dance company are available on stage for a post-performance question and answer session. Members of the audience are invited to stay and discuss the evening's program with Doug Varone himself and members of the company.

Tickets to see Doug Varone and Dancers on February 16th range from $27 to $34 for Ovations' Members and from $30 to $38 for the general public. A limited number of $10 student tickets are also available to any full-time college or grade school students. To purchase tickets, contact PortTix at 207-842-0800 or visit the box office window at Merrill Auditorium. Tickets are also available online at www.portlandovations.org.