The Woolgatherers Presents the World Premiere of REVEL'S END: A TEMPEST DANCE PARTY
By: Liz Cearns Sep. 27, 2016
In the midst of a crowded dance floor, audiences will be whisked away with a storm of light, music, and glitter to the paradise of Prospero's enchanted island. Pulsing with a live DJ soundtrack, and featuring contemporary dance, this party at Standard ToyKraft will immerse audiences in this timeless tale of young love, old enemies, and potent magic, as it is brought to life within and around them.
The multicultural, multilingual, and international performers have collaboratively created a new style of movement, pulled from their varied cultural and performance backgrounds. The dance world of Revel's End is uniquely rich, drawing on ballet, bharatanatyam, hip hop, Fosse, Ethiopian and jazz dance. Working as a collective, the performers have created a cohesive movement style that showcases their individual histories, backgrounds, and traditions.
While Revel's End contains songs, it differs significantly from the traditional conception of musical theater. The music extends beyond the songs, playing throughout the production-which feels more like a DJ night at a club than a play. In this sense, the score for Revel's End will carry the mood of the night in the manner of a DJ set. Every performance will be unique.
Experience the wonder, joy, and enchantment of Prospero's island for yourself - one weekend only.
This is director Grace Herman-Holland's NYC debut, and it comes at a pivotal moment in this political climate. As Americans face the threat of a president who would build walls to keep out the very people who have helped make our country great, Shakespeare's treatise on escapism, freedom, and oppression strikes a bittersweet chord. Collaboratively created by a diverse and international group of performers, Revel's End represents the fear and the fantasy facing Americans today.
DJ Jared Arnold says, "I'm really excited to be working on the music for Revel's End. This is my first foray into theater and writing for the stage presents a set of new opportunities. I've been really surprised by how much the rhythm of Shakespeare's words has influenced the contour of the melodies, resulting in dance music that still has a hint of the simplicity of a folk song.
I'll be playing live and going beyond traditional DJing to use a set of techniques known as controllerism; which will give me control of the sound of every instrument, mixing live and warping the compositions with audio effects. Each performance will be different, with the music responding to the actors in real time. The Tempest takes place on a magical island, and for me, a great night out is a perfect analogue to that kind of isolated, mysterious feeling."
Cast includes Bereket Amare Mengistu, Jaz Zepatos, Kanae Miyahara, Will van Moss, Brinda Dixit, Elisha Mudley and Meghan Crosby.
Direction and concept by Grace Herman-Holland, original Music by Jared Arnold, Set and Lighting Design by Remy Leelike (The Maids, Access Theater; Love's Refrain, LaMama) and Costume Design by Jamie Gross (Good Girl Gone Bad, HERE; Mama Mia, National Tour). Produced by LiAnne Kennedy (The Dudleys! HERE). Public Relations by Toro Communications (Gertrude Stein SAINTS!, Abrons Arts Center; Fireface, The Brick; The Dudleys! HERE).
Grace Herman-Holland's work focuses on the intersection of forms, mashing up the contemporary and the ancient, the serious and the raucous. She loves surprises and silences, sweat and neon signs. A student of kabuki theater, she fantasizes about grandiosity and audiences who throw things.
Standard ToyKraft is an artist run theater and workshop that offers low-cost performance and rehearsal space, residencies, and private studio spaces for the visual arts. The theater is called Standard ToyKraft after a toy manufacturing company that was in operation near the space in the 1940's and is located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In this tough city, they strive to offer a safe atmosphere for the development of theatrical productions and workshops. They also produce events including puppet slams, variety shows and various spectacles for the amusement of our patrons.
Revel's End six-show limited engagement debuts at Standard ToyKraft (722 Metropolitan Ave (3rd floor)) on Thursday October 20 at 7.30pm and continues Friday October 21 at 7.30pm, Saturday October 22 at 3pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday October 23 at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at revelsend.brownpapertickets.com.
Stay up to date with Revel's End by following @RevelsEndNYC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Revelsend.weebly.com
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