FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Great Barrington, Mass.—The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has added two performances by Parsons Dance, on Saturday, July 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 17 at 1 p.m., to its year-round schedule.
“We are so pleased to be presenting this iconic troupe in our intimate space,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “Their precision and technique will only be outshone by the uplifting beauty of dances executed with style, grace, and intricacy.”
Known for its energized, athletic, and joyous style, Parsons Dance is internationally renowned for creating and performing contemporary American dance. Their bold ensemble work and movement has solidified them as one of the world’s leading dance companies. Parsons Dance is always a favorite that is sure to thrill audiences with their effortless movement and stunning dancers.
Program
Parsons Dance’s Mahaiwe program will consist of six pieces: “Kind of Blue,” “Balance of Power,” “Nascimento,” “The Envelope,” “Caught,” and “The Road.”
According to The New York Times, “’Kind of Blue’ showcases the company’s most impressive performers by sending them bouncing and twisting through shadowed light with lightness speed and precise articulation. The work, a tribute to Miles Davis, captures the playful lilt of his music but not its edge of melancholy.”
“Balance of Power,” can be described as a vehicle for displaying intricate movement against the backdrop of driving rhythms. This solo was created for acclaimed dancer Zoey Anderson in collaboration with percussionist Giancarlo De Trizio.
Set to specially commissioned music by Brazilian composer Milton Nascimento, “Nascimento” is a pleasant and heartwarming romp through extraordinary music you won’t hear anywhere else.
Also highlighting the program is “The Envelope,” the classic Parsons piece featuring a whimsical narrative about a letter that continually re-appears, no matter how much the sender tries to get rid of it.
“Caught” offers a breathtaking fusion of art and technology demanding split-second timing and athletic stamina. The effect is a stunning suspension of weight in which the dancer appears to fly through the air, devouring space before magically returning to rest at center stage.
“The Road,” set to “Peace Train,” “Trouble,” and more evocative songs crafted by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, combines the spirit of the past with compelling contemporary choreography to achieve a hopeful vision for our future.
Tickets
Tickets are $35 to $70 and go on sale Thursday, May 19 at noon. Tickets can be purchased at mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Friday, from noon to 4 p.m.
See mahaiwe.org/update for current safety protocols.
About the Mahaiwe
Located in downtown Great Barrington, Mass., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, Live in HD broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905. Since 2005, the performing arts center has hosted over 1,500 events and welcomed over half a million people through its doors. More than 22,000 students from 73 different schools have benefited from the Mahaiwe’s school-time performances and residencies. For more information, see mahaiwe.org.
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