Sean Curran Company Makes Northrop Debut Tonight with DREAM'D IN A DREAM and More

Minneapolis, MN -- Seán Curran Company makes its Northrop debut at the University of Minnesota tonight, October 24 at 8:00 pm with an evening-length work featuring live music by the traditional Kyrgyz music group Ustatshakirt Plus.

In a unique performance combining two forms -- American modern dance and centuries-old Kyrgyz music -- Seán Curran Company brings their latest work, Dream'd in a Dream to the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on Oct 24. Curran and his dancers created the work after a journey they made to Central Asia as cultural ambassadors of the U.S. State Department. There they met the traditional music ensemble Ustatshakirt Plus, that will join them on stage in performance.

Ustatshakirt Plus is a group from the Tien Shan Mountain region near Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, whose music was nearly lost under Soviet rule. Curran said, "Their music was a revelation to me, not only because it made me dream of a new collage, but also because I recognized that we share many of the same artistic drives - speaking an old language with a contemporary accent."

Together, these artists have crafted a cross-cultural hybrid of the modern and ancient that embodies the mystical, rustic feel of poet Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass - a point of inspiration for Nurlanbek Nyshanov, the composer and music director. The result is a compellingly human investigation of a journey from ancestral pasts towards the poet's peaceful, loving "City of Friends."

Seán Curran has been a champion Irish step dancer, a member of the original cast of STOMP, and a member of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. His choreography - seen locally at Zenon Dance Company - has been called "the dance equivalent of a night of invigorating conversation" by the New York Times.

A video sample of the evening's program is available here.

Related Events:

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: The Adopted Son (Beshkempir)
Tue, Oct 15, 6:30 pm
Disclaimer: This film contains nudity and mature sexual content
Best Buy Theater
Free and open to the public

The Adopted Son tells the story of an ancient Kyrgyz tradition whereby parents of a large family offer their baby to a childless couple and pronounce it "Beshkempir." Azate is one such baby. Life runs smoothly for Azate until the day he finds out he is adopted - a revelation that turns his world upside down.

An expressive and breathtaking film, The Adopted Son is both a celebration of local and regional idiosyncrasies and a look at the universal experiences of adolescence.

The Institute for Advanced Study Presents
Seán Curran in Conversation with Sonja Kuftinec
Thu, Oct 22, 4:00 pm
Crosby Seminar Room, 2nd floor
Free and open to the public

Join Seán Curran and Sonja Kuftinec from the U of M's Department of Theater Arts and Dance for a conversation about Curran's work and the creation of Dream'd in a Dream.

Northrop Presents
Seán Curran Company Performance Preview
Sat, Oct 24, 6:45 pm
Best Buy Theater
Free and open to the public

Gain insight into the performance at an in-depth conversation with artistic director Seán Curran about the company and the evening's program.

IF YOU GO:

Northrop Presents
Seán Curran Company
Sat, Oct 24, 8:00 pm
Carlson Family Stage

Dream'd in a Dream
With live music by the Ustatshakirt Plus Ensemble

Single tickets: $58, $48, $38.

Season packages: Offer deeper discounts, best seats, and subscriber perks. More information and ordering is available here or by calling 612-624-2345.

Group sales: Groups of 10+ save 15% off original ticket prices or 25% off for schools and educational groups. To purchase group sales tickets, email nropgrps@umn.edu or call Bridget Reddan at 612-625-1578.

Discounted Rush Tickets: $10 for U of M Students; $20 for U of M Staff/Faculty; $20 General Student/Educators. Rush tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at the Northrop box offices beginning at 10:00 am the day of the performance. Receive two discounted tickets per qualifying person with appropriate I.D. Rush tickets are based on availability.

Northrop is an epicenter of discovery and transformation that connects the University of Minnesota and communities beyond by celebrating innovation in the arts, performance, and academics.

Photo Credit: David Samuel Stern