Motus Theater Company's PANORAMA to Play La MaMa This Winter

PANORAMA - the latest work by the internationally renowned Motus Theater Company from Italy - makes its world-premiere in January 2018 at La MaMa (Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 East 4th Street) in collaboration with La MaMa's legendary Great Jones Repertory Company.

Previews begin January 3rd prior to press opening on January 5th as part of The Public's Under The Radar Festival.

MOTUS - whose other works at La MaMa include NELLA TEMPESTA, ALEXIS: A GREEK TRAGEDY (as part of the Under the Radar Festival) and MDLSX - does not separate art and civic engagement in its stage presentations. Founded in 1991, MOTUS performs internationally, presenting original works that transcend borders, historical moments, and disciplines, works that confront contemporary themes and conflicts.

PANORAMA is a kaleidoscopic work that considers the very essence of migration - as human nature and part of the natural order. Inspired by the feminist writer Rosi Braidotti, PANORAMA proposes a post-nationalistic identity focusing on the concepts of fluid and nomadic identities. To that end, PANORAMA divines its storytelling from the specific perspective of the actors of the Great Jones Repertory Company, an inter-ethnic group of performers based at La MaMa, all of whom have lived diasporic experiences.

A kaleidoscopic work, PANORAMA delves into the heart of identity that goes beyond nationality, sexuality, and race, just as Motus' earlier work MDLSX claimed the freedom to transition from one gender to another, declaring the right to non-belonging. With the support of playwright Erik Ehn and a design team from Culturehub and the Seoul Institute of Arts - PANORAMA places different cultures in conversation to create a multi-media, live-streamed performance that combines movement, text, music, and media.

PANORAMA is performed by Great Jones Repertory company members Maura Nguyen Donohue, John Gutierrez, Valois Mickens, Eugene the Poogene, Perry Yung and Zishan Ugurlu.

Daniela Nicolo and Enrico Casagrande of Motus explained, "It would be almost trite to highlight the relevance of this project within the context of the nefarious victory of President Trump and his first legislative acts. PANORAMA rubs salt into one of the deepest - and never healed - wounds of the 'land of the free,' namely its relationship with borders and those who cross them."

PANORAMA will perform as part of Under The Radar Festival, NYC with previews on Dec 29 and 30 at 7:00pm. The run of the show is January 3-21, as follows: Jan 3-7, Jan 11-13, and Jan 18-20 at 7:00 pm; Jan 7,14, and 21 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $25 ($20 students/seniors) plus $1 facility fee per ticket. La MaMa makes the first 10 tickets for every performance available for $10 (advance sale only) as part of its 10@$10 ticketing program. For tickets and information visit www.lamama.org or call 212-352-3101.

La MaMa is dedicated to the artist and all aspects of the theatre. The organization has a worldwide reputation for producing daring performance works that defy form and transcend barriers of ethnic and cultural identity. Founded in 1961 by award-winning theatre pioneer Ellen Stewart, La MaMa has presented more than 5,000 productions by 150,000 artists from more than 70 nations. A recipient of more than 30 Obie Awards and dozens of Drama Desk, Bessie, and Villager Awards, La MaMa has helped launch the careers of countless artists, many of whom have made important contributions to American and international arts milieus.

La MaMa's 56th season highlights artists of different generations, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds, who question social mores and confront stereotypes, corruption, bigotry, racism, and xenophobia in their work. Our stages embrace diversity in every form and present artists that persevere with bold self-expression despite social, economic, and political struggle and the 56th season reflects the urgency of reaffirming human interconnectedness.

Photo Credit: Enrico Casagrande

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