RPM Productions presents the world premiere of the full-scale production of "Day of the Gypsy," a highly innovative dance-theater collaboration with choreography by Ruth Page Award winner Gordon Peirce Schmidt and featuring live accompaniment by Grammy Award-winning musician John Jorgenson and the John Jorgenson Quintet. Led by Schmidt and co-founders/artistic associates Jeff Bauer and Laura Berman, RPM Productions brings "Day of the Gypsy" to Chicago for two performances, tonight, November 21, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 22, 3 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Tickets ($20 - $75) go on sale Thursday, July 30, available online at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, by calling (312) 334-7777 or in-person at the Harris Theater Box Office (205 E. Randolph Drive). Group discounts are available for groups of 8 or more by contacting GroupTix at (773) 327-3778 or GroupTix.net.
"'Day of the Gypsy' is an immersive theatrical experience inspired by the mystical allure of Gypsy Jazz music and its iconic pioneer, Django Reinhardt," said Schmidt. "Drama, live music, movement, innovative sets, costumes and lighting designs-we combine all these elements to create an original story told through contemporary dance. We look forward to presenting it for the first time in its entirety."
Featuring a cast of 12 dancers and five musicians, "Day of the Gypsy" follows a series of magical misadventures, propelled by the sounds of Gypsy Jazz. Powerful, athletic choreography drives the enchanting story and irresistible charm of a magic spell that entangles the hearts of a Gypsy girl and an average Joe. Schmidt's original choreography features principal dancers Yumelia Garcia (Joffrey Ballet),
Randy Herrera (former principal dancer with Houston Ballet),
Jennifer Goodman (formerly with the Joffrey Ballet) and
Tom Mattingly (formerly with Ballet West).
Director/choreographer for "Day of the Gypsy" is Gordon Peirce Schmidt along with associate choreographer
Laura Berman. Original music is composed by John Jorgenson. The design team for "Day of the Gypsy" includes
Joseph Jefferson Award winner
Jeff Bauer (set design, costume design). Production stage manager is Dyan Yoder.
Schmidt has been choreographing and directing dance and theatre for the past 30 years. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including a Prime Time Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Achievement-Cultural Programming and two
Ruth Page Awards for Choreography. During his tenure as resident choreographer for Ballet Chicago between 1989-1995, Schmidt began experimenting with the Gypsy Jazz genre, presenting "By Django," a lively evocation of the jazz age, which went on to become the signature work for the company. An abbreviated work-in-progress with isolated sections of "Day of the Gypsy," titled "Journee des Tziganes," was performed at the Athenaeum Theatre in 2014; the Harris Theater engagement marks the debut of the full-length production.
Music virtuoso John Jorgenson, known for his blistering guitar licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, has earned a reputation as a world-class musician and guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of
Elton John,
Luciano Pavarotti,
Bonnie Raitt and
Bob Dylan. In addition to acoustic and electric guitars, he is also regularly featured on the saxophone, clarinet, bouzouki, pedal steel, mandolin, vocals and has garnered recognition for contributing to numerous platinum-selling and Grammy-winning albums.
Currently touring as the John Jorgenson Quintet, Jorgenson creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan. In the '90s, The Hellecasters gave audiences a chance to experience Jorgenson's fretboard fireworks in an unrestrained venue and the trio's three original albums remain favorites of guitarists everywhere. Having been
a fan of the Desert Rose Band,
Elton John invited Jorgenson to join his band in 1994 for an 18 month tour that stretched into a six-year stint of touring, recording and TV appearances with the British superstar, in addition to collaborations with other artists including Sting and
Billy Joel.
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