Canadian Stage Presents Hofesh Shechter's Dance Spectacle POLITICAL MOTHER, Now thru Oct 28

Hofesh Shechter's electrifying dance and rock spectacle, Political Mother, stops in Toronto for six performances as part of an international tour that has captivated audiences around the world. Presented by Canadian Stage and performed by Hofesh Shechter Company, this dance-performance-meets-rock-concert is a full-throttle, immersive experience that has taken the dance world by storm.

Political Mother will be on stage from tonight, October 24 to Sunday, October 28 (opening and media night: October 24) at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front St. E). Tickets from $24 to $99 are available by phone at 416.368.3110, online at www.canadianstage.com, or in person at the box office.

"To finally share the brilliance of Hofesh Shechter's choreography with Toronto audiences is very exciting for Canadian Stage," said Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director. "Our mandate is to present the most groundbreaking and powerful productions from Canada and around the world. Political Mother exemplifies this in a storm of dynamic and beautiful dance moments combined with live rock music and electrifying lighting. This show is one of the most sumptuous visual presentations - and at the same time - one of the most riveting and gripping emotional experiences that I've had in a long time."

Shechter, who choreographed and composed this "howling beast of a dance show" in 2010, draws on his training and career as a musician and dancer to create both the music and movement for his work. For Political Mother he assembled a band of seven musicians, including guitarists and percussionists to bring a big sound to the stage, inviting audiences to ride an emotional roller coaster that confuses one's values and challenges perceptions of what is "normal".

The ensemble features 12 dancers from Hofesh Shechter Company and includes Maëva Berthelot, Chien-Ming Chang, Sam Coren, Frédéric Despierre, Karima El Amrani, James Finnemore, Bruno Karim Guilloré, Yeji Kim, Kim Kohlmann, Philip Hulford, Erion Kruja and Hannah Shepherd. The score, composed by Shechter, was created in collaboration with Nell Catchpole and Yaron Engler. The dancers are accompanied on stage by a live metal rock band alongside a group of military drummers.

Canadian Stage has also partnered with Dancemakers to offer a special workshop for professional dancers and choreographers. Taught by company rehearsal director and performer Bruno Karim Guilloré, the workshop will run at Dancemakers (9 Trinity St., Toronto) on Thursday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The exclusive, 15 participant workshop also includes the option of including a ticket to the 8 p.m. performance of Political Mother on Saturday, October 27. Prior to the performance, there will also be a free, pre-show chat with Shechter beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Political Mother will be on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front St.E.). Performances run Wednesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. The performance runs 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Choreographed and Composed by Hofesh Shechter. Performed by Hofesh Shechter Company. Presented by Canadian Stage.

Dancers
Maëva Berthelot Bruno Karim Guilloré
Chien-Ming Chang Yeji Kim
Sam Coren Kim Kohlmann
Frédéric Despierre Philip Hulford
Karima El Amrani Erion Kruja
James Finnemore Hannah Shepherd

Understudies
Edouard Hue Merel Lammers

The Band
James Adams Guitar
Joseph Ashwin Guitar
Dominic Goundar Drums
Joel Harries Guitar, Drums,
Norman Jankowski Drums, Pandeiro
James Keane Guitar, Drums
Vincenzo Lamagna Guitar, Drums

Creative Team
Nell Catchpole Musical Collaborator
Yaron Engler Musical Collaborator; Percussion Arrangements
Lee Curran Lighting Design
Merle Hensel Costume Design

Founded in 2008 Hofesh Shechter Company tours worldwide and is fast becoming known as one of the leading contemporary dance companies. Led by Hofesh Shechter, the company consists of an international cast of superb dancers and musicians that has attracted audiences of all ages, backgrounds and interests throughout the UK and internationally.

Founded in 1987, Canadian Stage is one of the country's leading not-for-profit Contemporary Theatre companies, with the 2012.13 season marking the organization's 25th anniversary season. Under the direction of Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn, the company presents multidisciplinary theatre with a focus on emerging performance styles that integrate theatre with other artistic mediums such as dance, film, visual arts and more. Sharing innovative and vibrant theatre from Canada and around the world, the company stages an annual season of work at three major venues (the Bluma Appel Theatre, the Berkeley Street Theatre and the High Park Amphitheatre) and runs a series of artist development and education initiatives, as well as youth and community outreach programs. For more information, visit www.canadianstage.com.

Photo Credit: Tom Medwell

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