Photo Flash: First Look at BELOVED/DEPARTED

Linked Dance Theatre's original immersive dance theater piece, Beloved/Departed, has begun performances of its Off-Off-Broadway debut at The Center at West Park (located at 165 West 86th Street, at Amsterdam Avenue). This strictly limited engagement will run through May 18, 2018.

Beloved/Departed is a modern, immersive reimagining of the Greek tragedy Orpheus and Eurydice featuring movement-based storytelling and original music. Audiences are invited by the host Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, and the bride and groom to attend this celestial wedding, where they will celebrate with other guests, divine creatures, and ultimately tackle the timeless question - is love enough?

The intimate setting of Beloved/Departed will keep audiences to less than 40 people, giving everyone a unique perspective of the festivities and allow them to be completely engaged in the wedding celebrations.

An exciting theatrical event, drawing on Linked Dance Theatre's experience in the immersive realm, Beloved/Departed features original movement and text created by the company. The production will feature lighting & scenic design by Cheyenne Sykes, costume design by Nicholas Smith, original music composed by Brendan Littlefield, stage management by Cati Pishal, and direction by Jordan Chlapecka (Co-Artistic Director of Linked Dance Theatre).

Beloved/Departed will star Josh James, Kendra Slack (Co-Artistic Director of Linked Dance Theatre), Kellyn Thornburg, Calvin Tsang, Maya Gonzalez, Chloe Markewich, Rita McCann, Matt Engle, and Oliver "Tillett" Burke.

"Our version of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice aims to give a perspective on jumping into things too fast," says Jordan Chlapecka and Kendra Slack, Co-Artistic Directors of Linked Dance Theatre. "Weddings are a particular ritual where everything is called into question, and your past can come to haunt you at a family gathering, and begs a greater question of self, the myths we make, and the age old question 'is love enough to conquer death?' As a company, Linked Dance Theatre is inspired by the spaces around them. They think of the spaces they find as a characters in the shows they create, so the residency at The Center at West Park presented the ideal opportunity to explore this story and invite everyone to an otherworldly wedding.

Performances of Beloved/Departed will take place at The Center at West Park (165 West 86th Street, at Amsterdam Avenue) from April 26 through May 18, 2018, according to the following schedule: Thursday, April 26, Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28 at 7:30pm; then Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30pm; and one additional performance on Saturday, May 12 at 3:00pm. Tickets, ranging from $45 for General Admission and up to $75 for Premium tickets that allow audience members the chance to be part of the wedding party and engage with the performers, are available for purchase online from www.linkeddancetheatre.com/beloved/departed.

General Admission tickets grant patrons entrance into the wedding as a guest of Orpheus or Eurydice. Premium "Bridesmaid and Groomsman" tickets give patrons the opportunity to step into the role of an actual bridesmaid or groomsmen, giving more intimate access to the "bride and groom." With only 4 premium tickets available per performance (2 bridesmaid tickets & 2 groomsmen tickets), audiences are welcome to choose either designation, no matter what their gender identity is.

Photo Credit: Russ Rowland