REDCAT and The Music Circle Presents RAMAYANA: An Indian Epic 11/6

Gamelan Burat Wangi returns to REDCAT (the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) with an exquisite Balinese adaptation of the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic brought to Bali from India more than a millennium ago. Co-presented by REDCAT and The Music Circle, Ramayana: An Indian Epic opens Friday, November 6, 2009 at REDCAT and runs for a limited three-day engagement through Sunday, November 8, 2009.

Directed and choreographed by the distinguished duo of I Nyoman Wenten and Nanik Wenten, an ensemble of 25 gamelan players and 14 dancers enacts an exquisite Balinese adaptation of the Ramayana. This dance drama of lust and abduction, of war and faith, is filled with characters who look like birds, monkeys and warriors but who may turn out to be kings and gods. Among the many distinctive refinements of the Balinese Ramayana are the electrifying dances of Hanoman, the monkey general who helps Rama rescue Sita from the clutches of Rahwana.

The production features three special guest artists from Bali: drummer I Wayan Budha and dancers I Made Dwi Putra Yoga as Rama, and Anak Agung Gede Rahma Putra, as Hanoman. Beginning promptly one hour before each performance, ethnomusicologist Sue Carole DeVale will conduct a multimedia presentation on the aesthetics of Hindu-Balinese performing arts. This presentation will be conducted inside the theater and is open to ticket holders.

Ramayana: An Indian Epic is co-presented by The Music Circle and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, and with generous support from Judith O. and Robert E. Rubin.

The Music Circle was founded in 1973 to present and promote the classical music and dance of India. Each season they produce six to eight concerts of India's leading artists, including those emerging and acclaimed artists destined to be tomorrow's masters. In addition, they collaborate with other groups to produce related special events like the Balinese Ramayana. To learn about The Music Circle's coming events and special rates for members, call 626-449-6987 or visit www.MusicCircle.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

GAMELAN BURAT WANGI
Formed in 1972 by I Nyoman Wenten and Nanik Wenten, Gamelan Burat Wangi, meaning Fragrant Offering, is an internationally known Balinese gamelan group with 40 musicians and dancers. They have presented hundreds of concerts throughout California, Mexico and Bali in venues such as The Center for World Music in Payangan, Bali; Sading Festival, Denpasar, Bali; Herb Theater, San Francisco; Japan American Theater and Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles; and Theatre de la Danza, Mexico City.

Official Myspace page:
www.myspace.com/gamelanburatwangi

Video/Recordings:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM-Zs7RTsn4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DC_uNpnsRU

GENERAL INFORMATION

REDCAT (the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) opened by CalArts in 2003, introduces diverse audiences, students and artists to the most influential developments in the arts from around the world, and gives artists in this region the creative support they need to achieve national and international stature. REDCAT is the newest partner in an international network of adventurous art and performance centers, which together are playing a vital role in the evolution of contemporary culture. REDCAT is a center for experimentation, discovery, and lively civic discourse.

REDCAT is located at the corner of W. 2nd and Hope Streets, inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex (631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012).

For tickets and additional information, call REDCAT's Box Office at 213-237-2800, or visit www.redcat.org.

REDCAT sponsors include The Standard, Yamaha, Ovation TV, Los Angeles magazine and KCRW. For REDCAT acknowledgements, visit www.redcat.org/acknowledgements.