Jacob's Pillow to Present U.S. Premiere of L-E-V, 7/24-28

L-E-V, the contemporary Dance Company founded by Israel-based co-creators and artistic directors Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, will make its U.S. debut in the Ted Shawn Theatre at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival July 24-28. The company performs the U.S. premiere ofHOUSE, a hypnotic evening-length work originally commissioned by the Batsheva Dance Company. With a score by the popular composer Ori Lichtik and lighting by acclaimed designer Bambi, the exquisite dancers of L-E-V, including Sharon Eyal herself, perform this compelling and mesmerizing work.

An adventurous, collaborative ensemble, L-E-V creates cross-disciplinary works that fuse intense, provocative movement with music, fashion, art, technology, and lighting, bringing exceptional artistry to the stage. In HOUSE, the dancers wear nude body-stockings that show the fierce technicality, astonishing flexibility, and subtle articulation that is required of them.

"L-E-V is thoroughly original and unusual: there is nothing like this company anywhere in the world. L-E-V means "heart" in Hebrew. It's a fitting name for this troupe. The energy, power, and daring of the dancers; the theatrical atmosphere that is created by the lighting, sound, and costuming all work together to make a total experience. HOUSE is like encountering a new tribe in an exotic land. It's impossible to be neutral about it." - Ella Baff, Executive and Artistic Director of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

As a choreographer, Eyal is known for her unique movement language that often incorporates stark imagery and raw physicality. Behar, on the other hand, is a well-known underground art and rave events producer. Known for their previous collaborations with Ohad Naharin's Batsheva Dance Company, Carte Blanche, NDT2, and GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Eyal and Behar began exploring new artistic possibilities within the context of L-E-V, their newly formed company, in 2013.

The dancers of L-E-V come from a variety of backgrounds including Batsheva Dance Company and Carte Blanche, bringing finesse and a range of strengths to the stage.

Sharon Eyal and dancer Douglas Letheren will serve on faculty during the Contemporary Program of The School at Jacob's Pillow, July 15-20, 2013. They will be teaching Ohad Naharin's movement approach, Gaga, and choreographing on the students.

Tickets are $39-$65 and now on sale online at jacobspillow.org, via phone at 413.243.0745, or in person at the Jacob's Pillow Box Office. Under 35 Friday Tickets are available for $19 on Friday, July 19 (ages 18-35), two per person, must show I.D. when picking up tickets. Available by phone and in person only.

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