SCARE DU PRINTEMPS Honors Ballet Russes 100th Bday 4/17-26

Minnesota Dance Theatre's ODYSSEY will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Ballet Russes with Stravinsky's SACRE DU PRINTEMPS, choreographed by MDT founder Loyce Houlton running April 17-19 and 24-26 at The Lab Theatre.

In a world of a "civilized" aesthetic Stravinsky, Nijinsky, and Ballet Russes shocked and enraged Paris with SACRE DU PRINTEMPS in 1913. This electric shock caused the audience to break out into a massive riot. The complex rhythms and angled movements of this production radically exceeded the boundaries of theatrical tradition.

*Founded in 1909 by Serge Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes became one of the most influential and groundbreaking dance company's of the 20th Century. Known for its innovation and collaboration, the Ballet Russes brought together artists of all realms, including such choreographers, dancers, composers, and visual artists as Michael Fokine, Vaslav Nijinsky, George Balachine, Peter Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and **Alexandre Benois.*

Joining the MDT company to lead us back in time to Paris 1913 is Daniel E. Freeman, Ph.D. A pianist and lecturer in music history at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Freeman will set the stage for the artistic revolution that occurred on May 29, 1913. Dr. Freeman appears regularly at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and at arts events throughout the Twin Cities. He is also an author and essayist, publishing widely on topics
related to European classical music over the centuries. **

MDT founder Loyce Houlton's choreography of SACRE DU PRINTEMPS was first performed by the MDT Company in 1985. "We are doing Loyce's version of Sacre and it is fantastic. It really is simply daring. The strong sweeping
movement style with difficult partnering, and the amazing music make this piece something truly special," said Melanie Verna, featured dancer.

ODYSSEY will also feature the world premiere of THE FERMENTATION OF SUZIE AND THE SAILOR by choreographer Christine Maginnis in her first commission by MDT. According to Maginnis, "My hope is that it stirs up some sort of internal riot, because I think that's what a work of art should do. I am exploring the unification of body and soul in the context of a romantic relationship using an air-bed, a box, combat boots, a film, and two awesome dancers, Justin Leaf and Melanie Verna, as well as a haunting score by Matthew Smith."

Come witness *Dance that Dares* - Ambitious. Classical. Contemporary. Extreme.

ODYSSEY, the final production of MDT's 2008-2009 season, opens April 17 and runs through April 26. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00pm, while Sunday matinees begin at 2:00pm. Tickets are $29 for adults, $27 for seniors, and $26 for students. Group rate (groups of 6 or more people) are $20 per ticket. Student rush tickets will be available 15 minutes before the performance for $10 if tickets still remain. Tickets are on sale and
available through The Lab Theater box office at *www.thelabtheater.org* or by calling 612-333-7977. The Lab Theater is located at 700 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. For more information, visit
*www.mndance.org*or call the Minnesota Dance Theatre & the Dance Institute at (612) 338-0627.

 

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