Chicago Dance Crash Presents GOTHAM CITY World Premiere, 6/8-7/15

Chicago Dance Crash, in association with DCA Theater, presents the world premiere of Gotham City, a fully choreographed graphic novel featuring a fusion of hip- hop, ballet and heart-pumping acrobatics performed by 30 dancers. Gotham City is the largest production Chicago Dance Crash has undertaken in its 10-year history. Choreographed by Jessica Deahr and written by Mark Hackman, Gotham City runs June 8 – July 15 2012, at the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 East Randolph Street. Press night is Friday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Chicago Dance Crash transforms the DCA Storefront Theater into the dark, dirty, dangerous city of comic book fame, ‘Gotham.’ From sunset to sunrise eight main characters - a young female pickpocket, a dirty cop, a wandering orphan, newlywed tourists, a director, a flamboyant gang- leader and an enigmatic con man – fight to survive in this criminal wasteland. With a breathtaking fusion of dance styles, Gotham’s population of 10 million is brought to life by 30 explosive dancers fluent in classic and contemporary forms in a moving-portrait of one night in the dark life of urban underworld America.

“A story-based dance show with a cast of 30 and a six weekend run is simultaneously daunting, and yet incredibly exciting,” said choreographer Jessica Deahr. “Gotham City is not your typical dance concert. Throughout the two acts, you’ll see a blend of hard core hip hop, capoeira (Brazilian martial arts), straight-edged jazz, and clown-like contemporary, to name a few, performed by an incredibly talented and athletic cast.”

In addition to performing with Chicago Dance Crash as guest artist and company member from 2007 through present, Jessica Deahr has toured North America, South America, Central America, Europe and Asia as dancer and aerial artist with Royal Caribbean Productions, Jean Ann Ryan Productions, and Goldberg Entertainment for the USO. She has performed with Inaside Chicago Dance, Instruments of Movement, the Joel Hall Dancers, The MASSIVE, and with independent choreographers such as Harrison McEldowney in Chicago-based company shows as well as in Dance For Life, Jazz Dance World Congress, Spring To Dance, Duets For My Valentine, Chicago Takes Off and Dance Chicago.

Deahr has also performed at various industrials, corporate events, festivals and at the B96 Jingle Bash with Stage Factor, Impulse Talent, the JumpSmokers and Too White Crew. She has set choreography with Chicago Dance Crash, Chicago Tap Theater, Inaside Chicago Dance, Goldberg Entertainment, Dances in the Parks and in Dance Chicago where she received the New Voice Outstanding Choreography award for 2011.

Performers include David Ingram, Mary Tarpley, Charlie Cutler, Brian Humphreys, Julian Devine, Chantelle Mrowka, Paul Christiano, Al Tamper, Daniel "Qwan" Gibson, Taylor Stewart, Erin Clyne, Kaitlin Webster Keegan, Jahmilah Alazam, Emily Sarkissian, Melissa Metro, Becky Hutt and many others.

Chicago Dance Crash is a multi-disciplined, contemporary dance company committed to both exploring and exploiting the potential of human response and athleticism through live performance. The company develops a wider appreciation within the community for dance as an influential art form and as an accessible form of entertainment.

Now entering its 10th Anniversary Season, Dance Crash continues to redefine the art form and bring dance to the people. With innovative, collaborative performances, the Dance Crash family continues to support artists, expand partnerships, and foster the growth of dance in the community. For more information, visit chicagodancecrash.com or 'Like' them on Facebook.

The DCA Storefront Theater and the Studio Theater, its companion theater located in the Chicago Cultural Center, comprise DCA Theater, an anchor of the downtown theater district. DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an unforgettable off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant theater companies that call Chicago home.

The DCA Storefront Theater features a state-of-the-art and easily accessible theater located at 66 E. Randolph St. where audiences enjoy high quality work from Chicago’s most dynamic theater companies at an affordable ticket price. In addition to fully staged productions, DCA Theater presents many other programs that showcase the diverse Chicago theater community. Special limited-run and one-night-only events include staged readings, radio plays, directing workshops and festivals.

The DCA Studio Theater, housed in the Chicago Cultural Center just across the street from the DCA Storefront Theater, hosts the DCA Theater’s Incubator Series, a program designed to support the creation of new work by emerging Chicago theater companies. Utilizing the generous offering of free rehearsal space and resources, participants explore new projects, develop and refine styles during a three-week period that ends with a public showcase performance and post- show discussion.

Each season, DCA Theater accepts proposals from the city’s emerging and developing theater companies who wish to bring their innovative productions downtown. Presenting companies receive free performance space and resources, while theater-goers get an exciting glimpse into Chicago’s world-renowned theater scene. For more information and to apply to either space, visit dcatheater.org/yourshow.

Gotham City runs June 8 – July 15, 2012, at the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Press night is Friday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. A post-show discussion will follow the Friday, June 15 performance. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $18 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497) or visiting dcatheater.org.

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