Mosaic Dance Theater to Present New Works at Westminster Arts Center, 12/12-13

Two major new works will premiere in the award-winning Mosaic Dance Theater Company's (MDTC) annual concert in Essex County, N.J. The program will be presented at Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College, 449 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, N.J. 07003.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 3:00 P.M., and are free to the general public. Advance reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2267116, or call 1-800-838-3006.

Opening the program are excerpts from Fo(u)r Women, created by Samara Adell, MDTC's Artistic Director for Dance, and award-winning writer/composer Gary Kupper. The piece is directed by Mr. Kupper, with choreography by Samara. Fo(u)r Women is a theatrical multi-media dance celebration of four women of the Greater Middle East who overcame cultural and religious obstacles to attain greatness in their respective lives and times. Through song, dance and spoken word and aided by multimedia projections of photos, and archival film footage, the piece will tell the story of women's timeless struggle for freedom to overcome the circumstances of their male dominated societies, embodying the majestic power and resilience of the human spirit. A featured excerpt tells of Enheduanna, from 2200 B.C. Sumer, the first recorded non-anonymous author in history.

Also premiering is La Lettera d'Isabella (Isabella's Letter), an original scenario for the commedia dell'arte, a remarkable form of physical theater and improvisation that originated in Italy and became all the rage in Europe, from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and is the genesis of the modern comedy played by such luminaries as the Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, to name a few. Created and directed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, MDTC's Producing Artistic Director, the scenario highlights the theatrical traditions of commedia and its characters. The masked characters of Arlecchino, Brighella, Pantalone, and Il Capitano along with Isabella and Orazio, the pre-requisite pair of lovers, will be portrayed through movement and dance to an underscore of traditional Italian folk music. Completing the program is Bastianelo, a humorous Italian folk tale presented in MDTC's signature style of dance/story theater.

The program features MDTC dancers Samara Adell, Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, Nina Brewton, Kendra Dushac, Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning, and guest performers Heather Panikkar, Mary Lowman, and Mackenzie Knapp.

Based in Glen Ridge, N.J., MDTC is dedicated to the dance and folkloric traditions of the Mediterranean region. The Company's original dance, theater, and educational programs celebrate the rich diversity of cultures of the lands of North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. The dances and music, the stories and myths, and the history and legends of this fascinating area form the wellspring of inspiration for MDTC's creative vision. Founded in 2003, this critically acclaimed company is known for its artistry and authenticity, not only in creating the original works that comprise its repertory, but also in faithfully researching their origins to ensure cultural integrity. The Company is the recipient of the 2013 Sunshine Award for its contribution to the performing arts, recognized by NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the United Nations. MDTC tours nationally to performing arts venues, universities, and educational facilities.

The program is presented free of charge, and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations can be made online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2267116, or call 1-800-838-3006. For additional information, visit www.MosaicDanceTheaterCo.org.

Pictured: Kendra Dushac McCarthy, Erin Pellecchia, Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning, Samara Adell, Nina Brewton and Morgiana Celeste Varricchio. Photo by Gary Heller.