Peak Performances Presents American Premiere of GARDENIA, 3/17-25

Peak Performances presents "Gardenia," a production based on the real lives of its cast of transgenders, all of whom are between 55 and 65, and each of whom had been or continues to be a professional performer.  The American premiere of "Gardenia" takes place at the Alexander Kasser Theater on the Montclair State University campus, March 17-25.

"Gardenia" uses song and dance to express the raw pain of transvestites' marginalization and loneliness, as well as the wit and ways that the artists held on to their dignity in face of ridicule and physical violence. 

Starring Belgian playwright and director Vanessa Van Durme, who was one of the conceivers of the production, "Gardenia" was inspired by Sonia Herman Dolz's "Yo soy asi," a feature-length documentary that chronicled the lives of the aging performers at the closing of a transvestite cabaret in Barcelona.  Premiered in June 2010 in Ghent, "Gardenia" has been performed in major cities in Europe including at the Sadler's Wells in London.  It is directed by Alain Platel and Frank Van Laecke, who head Les Ballets C de la B in Belgium.

To learn more about les Ballets C de la B, visit: http://www.lesballetscdela.be/.

Performance times: March 17, 24 at 8pm; March 18, 25 at 3pm; March 21, 22, 23 at 7:30pm

All tickets are $15 and are available at the Alexander Kasser Theater Box Office, by calling 973-655-5112 or online at http://www.peakperfs.org.

Charter bus service is provided from New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal – arcade on 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues – to the Alexander Kasser Theater ($10 per person, roundtrip) for all Saturday and Sunday performances. Bus reservations may be made by calling 973-655-5112 or by visiting http://www.peakperfs.org. For train service, available only on weekdays, go online to www.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

For restaurants close to the Alexander Kasser Theater, visit http://www.destinationmontclair.com

Montclair State University is located at 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043