Schubert Scherzo, Obrigado, Brazil, Bells of Dublin and Shinju set for Smuin Ballet’s New York Performances
August 13 – 18 at The Joyce
NYC Premieres to Honor Internationally Acclaimed Dancer & Choreographer Michael Smuin who died in San Francisco just prior to season opener
Memorial Tribute to be held at Joyce Friday, August 17 – 2:30pm
26 July 2007 – San Francisco, CA / NYC: Honoring the late visionary dancer / choreographer Michael Smuin, his namesake company -- Smuin Ballet www.smuinballet.org -- returns to New York City August 13 – 18 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street) with a new program of work including Schubert Scherzo, Obrigado, Brazil, Bells of Dublin and Shinju.
Michael Smuin’s last work, Schubert Scherzo, is set to the sprightly movement from Franz Schubert’s “Great” C-major symphony.
“It is more than a pretty classical abstraction,” said Dwight Hutton, Smuin Managing Director. “This ballet is a test of technique and stamina.”
Packed with intricate jumps intermingled with simple tendus and arabesques and punctuated by the occasional high flying toss, Smuin’s Schubert Scherzo see its dancers costumed in simple white that add an air of lightness to the interweaving patterns and hand offs of this beautiful pastoral diversion.
Originally choreographed for internationally acclaimed Tap Dancer Sam Weber, Bells of Dublin is a wonderful example of Michael Smuin’s Tony Award winning Broadway flair that so endeared the late dancer / choreographer to audiences the world over.
Shinjū. is based on an 18th century Japanese play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, which itself was derived from a centuries-old legend of two star-crossed lovers whose passion is maliciously thwarted by mysterious forces. Paul Seiko Chihara’s eerie score and Willa Kim’s exquisite décor and costumes combine with Smuin’s clever mix of kabuki and ballet to create an ethereal and dramatic tale.
Rounding out the Joyce performances is one of Smuin’s most popular and sensuous works, Obrigado Brazil. Set to the seductive rhythms of South American music recorded by Yo-Yo Ma and an all-star ensemble of Brazilian musicians, Obrigado, Brazil is an exotic journey that utilizes classical, samba, and bossa nova dance vocabulary. The one-act ballet, set on the entire Smuin Ballet company, features costumes by Ann Beck and lighting design by Mike Oesch.
Debuting in March 1994, Smuin Ballet quickly established itself as “one of this country’s most entertaining, original ballet troupes” (Dance Magazine). Recognized for its accessible and innovative repertory, the company adheres to the philosophy that ballet should be a living dance form that can continue to engage and delight modern audiences and numerous sold-out houses.
Between 1995 - 2006, the company premiered over forty works by Michael Smuin and has recently begun premiering works by a new generation of choreographers, drawn from Smuin Ballet's own company of artists. The mission of Smuin Ballet is to bring enjoyment of dance to new as well as to existing audiences through works that extend and enrich the art with presentations of uncompromising originality and quality.
Smuin Ballet is proud to have called the Bay Area home for the past thirteen years where audiences have embraced Smuin performances with passion and enthusiasm since the beginning, supporting an expanding subscription program and touring schedule. The company offers four seasons in the Bay Area -- the San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and Carmel – in addition to national and international touring.
Smuin made the San Francisco Bay Area his home since he was a Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, before going on to dance on Broadway, and appearing in film and television. He was Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer for American Ballet Theatre before returning to San Francisco as Co-Director of San Francisco Ballet (1973-1985), and was instrumental in raising that company's profile in the international arts community, including many “Dance in America” programs on PBS. He directed ABT's 50th Anniversary Gala. Broadway credits include Sophisticated Ladies, Anything Goes (Tony Award for Choreography), Shogun and Canciones de Mi Padre. Feature film credits include Rumble Fish, A Walk In the Clouds, Cotton Club, Star Wars, and The Fantasticks. Television credits include Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. He has won an Emmy Award for A Song for Dead Warriors. His ballets are currently in the repertories of major dance companies around the country. Smuin passed away on the morning of April 23 from a heart attack in his San Francisco dance studios while he was leading a rehearsal. Smuin was 68.
As an addition to the Joyce schedule, a special memorial and Celebration of Michael Smuin’s Life and Art will be held – free and open to the public – on Friday the 17 at 2:30pm at the Joyce. The special tribute will include a video tracing Michael’s life from childhood through Ballet, Broadway, TV and movies, to establishing his company, Smuin Ballet. The memorial will also include testimonials from dancers and remarks by Michael’s closest friends.
“This event is intended for Michael’s family, friends, dancers, colleagues, and devoted fans,” said Hutton. “ Smuin Ballet is above all else, a dancer’s company – a company dedicated to unique artistic expressions as expressed through dancers true to Michael’s Vision. This is our way of paying tribute to that vision.”
Performances for the special summer engagement of Smuin Ballet at the Joyce are: Monday - Wednesday (August 13, 14, 15) at 7:30pm; Thursday – Saturday ( August 16, 17, 18) at 8pm; and matinees at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are $44 and $33 for Joyce members. Also, offered is a “Summer Duet Special”: Smuin + Savion: if purchased with Savion Glover tickets in a duet - a 20% discount on both ($35). Tickets on sale at the Box Office; through JoyceCharge (212) 242-0800 and www.joyce.org.
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