Citadel + Compagnie Presents Stirring World Premiere of James Kudelka's FOUR OLD LEGS

Citadel + Compagnie presents the world premiere of Canadian dance luminary James Kudelka's Four Old Legs, on stage April 12-13 & 17-20, 2019 at 8pm and April 14 at 4pm at the Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. Citadel + Compagnie's resident choreographer and Order of Canada appointee Kudelka has created this poignant performance piece celebrating time, memory, and experience. Ballet icon Evelyn Hart and acclaimed dance artist Zhenya Cerneacov eloquently explore the premise that growing older is something better practiced by young people.

"It is always a joy to present new work by James Kudelka, whose finely honed talent and inexhaustible curiosity never cease to amaze me," says Citadel + Compagnie's Artistic Director Laurence Lemieux. "The ballet world has historically been devoted to youth and artistic novelty; however, works by seasoned artists whose creative relationships have deepened with time and familiarity are immensely rewarding. The intimate setting of The Citadel gives audience members an extraordinary opportunity to see Evelyn Hart, Canada's most beloved ballerina, perform at close range and enjoy the fruits of her long-term collaboration with Kudelka."

Four Old Legs is a series of vignettes that explore long-term love, after the heady thrill of infatuation has faded. A series of solos and duets are danced in a sparsely furnished space, each one providing a glimpse into the shared life of a couple, weaving the emotional threads into the rich and varied tapestry of a longstanding relationship. Set to16 songs by artists as varied as Chopin, the Talking Heads, Judy Garland, and Serge Gainsbourg, the music indicates the passage of time and helps to illuminate the gifts and challenges of the aging process. With lighting design by Simon Rossiter, projection design by Jeremy Mimnagh and costumes by Hoax Couture, Four Old Legs represents a collaboration of experienced artists at the top of their game.

Tickets to Four Old Legs are available online at: citadelcie.com/tickets

Citadel + Compagnie is a Toronto-based professional dance organization with a mission to have a significant and lasting artistic impact on our society through creation, curation and cultivation. Led by Artistic Director Laurence Lemieux, Citadel + Compagnie creates, produces and presents works on local, national and international scales from its home base in a former Salvation Army Citadel in the Regent Park neighbourhood of Toronto.

The company purchased The Citadel in 2007, and renovated it into studio, office, and theatre space. The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance opened in 2012, providing a home for Resident Choreographer James Kudelka, and Artistic Director Laurence Lemieux's creative processes and intimate performances, while creating an open and welcoming space for artists to rehearse, create and perform and where the community can learn, communicate, and share.

Citadel + Compagnie encourages artistic risk and innovation through its performing arts series, Bright Nights, and delivers accessible works of contemporary dance when touring outside The Citadel itself. Equipped with a commitment to the development of the art form and backed by a small but fiscally aggressive administrative structure, Citadel + Compagnie demonstrates fearless artistic leadership backed by real community engagement.

After nine years as Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada (1996-2005), James Kudelka was named Citadel + Compagnie resident choreographer in 2008. This relationship has allowed Kudelka to revisit some of his finest works and made way for challenging new contemporary creations. The presence of Kudelka's work at Citadel + Compagnie has also expanded the company's public recognition, and increased audiences eager to see the work of one of the country's finest choreographers.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Mimnagh

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