Portland Ovations Presents Universes: Live from the Edge 4/8

Portland Ovations presents Universes: Live from the Edge on Friday, April 8th at Merrill Auditorium at 8:00 p.m.

Universes redefines theater and who it speaks to by turning poetry into a communal act. This internationally recognized ensemble mixes rhymes, beats, politics, gospel, blues and boleros to create moving, provocative, entertaining theater. Live from the Edge showcases Universes' innovative brand of hip-hop theater and tracks the evolution of their poetic language from childhood rhymes and community rituals, to poetry and performance.

Based in The Bronx, Universes is comprised of four actors and tours internationally. In 2008, Universes was chosen by the U.S. State Department to act as cultural delegates in a tour of Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Romania, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. They were recently recognized by being selected for participation in a new, national program dedicated to supporting ensemble theaters.

On April 8th at 6:30 p.m., immediately preceding the Universes performance, join Portland-based hip-hop artist Sontiago in a pre-performance conversation about the evolution and significance of hip-hop theater.

Additional Ovations Offstage activities include a free performance poetry workshop for teens hosted by The Telling Room on Wednesday, April 6th from 6:30-8 pm.

Portland Ovations is also presenting Universes: Live from the Edge as a School-Time Performance on Friday, April 8th at 10:30 a.m. School groups or Home-Schoolers interested in purchasing tickets to the School-Time Performance should call Portland Ovations at (207) 773-3150.

Tickets to Universes: Live from the Edge on Friday, April 8th at 8:00 p.m. are $32 for Ovations Members and $36 for the General Public. A limited number of $10 student tickets are also available to full-time college and grade school students. To purchase tickets contact PortTix at (207) 842-0800 or visit the box office window at Merrill Auditorium. Tickets are also available online at www.portlandovations.org. Tickets will also be available at the door on April 8th while they last. The evening performance may contain adult language.

About Portland Ovations

Each year since 1931, Portland Ovations brings a dynamic season of exceptional performing artists from around the world to Maine including classical music, jazz, opera, dance, theater, and Broadway national tours. In addition to live performances, Ovations brings the exhilaration of the performing arts out into our community with season-long educational and outreach activities known as Ovations Offstage. A Maine-based non-profit, Portland Ovations contributes to the cultural, social and economic well-being of our community by presenting an array of high quality performing artists from around the world and creating diverse educational experiences that bring the enjoyment, energy and enrichment of the arts to all.