Camille A. Brown & Dancers Return to New York with Mr. TOL E. RAncE Tonight

Camille A. Brown & Dancers, recognized for its visceral movement and unflinching approach to comedic and controversial themes, announces its upcoming New York return of Camille A. Brown's 2013 Mr. TOL E. RAncE. Presented as part of the 651 Arts 25th Anniversary Season, Black Dance: Traditions and Transformation series, the program will run two-nights at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, tonight and tomorrow, December 6-7, 2013. Scott Patterson will play live the original eclectic piano score-composed by Patterson, Brandon McCune, Jonathan Melville Pratt and Kurt "KC" Clayton.

Mr. TOL E. RAncE embodies themes of American history as it celebrates African-American humor and masterfully intertwines comedy, live animation, theater and explosive dance, to examine minstrelsy in its past and even present forms. The piece sheds light on what happens to the human spirit behind the mask, creating a universal dialogue about perception and its influence on all races. The work is heavily influenced by Spike Lee's film Bamboozled as well as Mel Watkins' book "On The Real Side" and Dave Chappelle's "dancing vs. shuffling" analogy. Brown brought in dramaturges Talvin Wilks and Kamilah Forbes as well as theater coach J. Michael Kinsey to assist in the creation of this vibrant and poignant evening length work. The last 30-mins of the performance engages the audience in a conversation, lead by choreographer Camille A. Brown.

"We've been humbled by the impact TOL E. RAncE has had on all generations in the audiences," says choreographer Camille A. Brown. "They've felt inspired to continue the dialogue of this piece as it relates to intersectionality, social justice and the stereotypes facing them personally. We're all dealing with the same issues one way or another- which encourages me to create work that brings forth understanding and transforms ordinary life into something magical."

MR. TOL E. RAncE has toured throughout the U.S. during 2013 to sold-out audiences from the Whitebird Uncaged Series in Oregon to North Carolina's American Dance Festival. Prior performances also took place at The Yard in Massachusetts, Kelly Strayhorn Theater at Juniata College in Pennsylvania and premiered at NYC's The Kitchen in April of this year.

The work will also be presented on October 25th at The EGG in Albany, NY, followed by two nights at the ODC Theater in San Francisco, November 15-16.

Tickets can be purchased through the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts - online, by calling (718) 488-1624 or in person at the box office. Prices for performances range from $15 - $20. Performances will run two nights - Friday, December 6 and Saturday December 7, 7:30 p.m.

Kumble Center for the Performing Arts is located in Brooklyn on the LIU Brooklyn Campus, One University Plaza. The venue is accessible by the 2/3/4/5 subway lines to Nevins Street Station and the B/M/Q/R trains to DeKalb Avenue Station.

REPERTORY:

Mr. TOL E. RAncE

Choreography: Camille A. Brown
Original Music Composed by: Scott Patterson, Brandon McCune, Jonathan Melville Pratt and Kurt "KC" Clayton
Lighting: Burke Wilmore
Costumes: Carolyn Mechka Cherry
Set: Philip Trevin?o
Animation: Isabela Dos Santos
Video: Stacey Muhammad
Sound: Michael Britto
Dramaturgy: Talvin Wilks and Kamilah Forbes
Theater Coach: J. Michael Kinsey
Length: 50 minutes

Camille A. Brown uses sketch comedy, live music, and haunting animation to celebrate the humor and perseverance of the black performer throughout history in Mr. TOL E. RAncE. This evening-length dance theater work also examines stereotypical roles dominating current black popular culture.

About Camille A. Brown & Dancers: Camille A. Brown & Dancers has been a palpable force in the national concert dance world for over 10 years. Directed with unfailingly clear vision by Camille A. Brown, the company draws upon modern, hip-hop, African and ballet aesthetics to make a personal claim on history through the lens oF Brown's contemporary female perspective. The company's mission is to present authentic performances that foster dialogue among audience and local communities. The company has performed at The Joyce Theater, American Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, City Center's Fall for Dance Festival, Symphony Space and The Yard.

About Camille A. Brown: Camille A. Brown is an award-winning choreographer who blurs the space between theater and dance. Her prolific and vivid choreography entails more than a dozen dance repertory works and has launched her to Broadway's stages, recently choreographing the 2012 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale and the upcoming Off-Broadway show Fortress of Solitude. Brown is a Princess Grace awardee and the 2013 recipient of The International Association of Blacks in Dance Founders Award. She has been commissioned to create works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Philadanco, Urban Bush Women, Ballet Memphis and Hubbard Street II. Camille A. Brown & Dancers has toured throughout the U.S.

About 651Arts: For 25 years, 651 ARTS has been committed to developing, producing and presenting performance and cultural programming from the African Diaspora, with a primary focus on contemporary performing arts. 651 ARTS serves the cultural life of New York City, with a particular focus on Brooklyn, one of America's most culturally diverse communities. For more information, visit www.651ARTS.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.