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 SPACE presents Dance Brigade in
The Great Liberation Upon Hearing
a new work Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead
Saturday, June 11 at 8pm
Sunday, June 12 at 2pm
Location: Mendocino College Center Theater
1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah
General Admission
Tickets $15 Adults & $8 Children (18 & younger)
Tickets on sale now at Mendocino Book Company!
Dance Brigade, the Bay Area's cutting edge dance company, presents a new work, The Great Liberation Upon Hearing, a multi-media dance drama based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Great Liberation Upon Hearing premiered at Laney Theater in 2009. Standing ovations with reviews including “stunning theatrical venture,” “multi-media ecstatic revel,” and “dancing is profuse, varied and expert,” proved that socially relevant dance can be technically brilliant and accesible to a wide audience. Artistic Director Krissy Keefer along with collaborating artists create a moving and compelling piece of theater that engages the audience both emotionally and intellectually. Ms. Keefer follows the journey as laid out in the Tibetan tradition from the time of death until a person is reincarnated into the next life. The remarkable cast of dancers includes Ramon Ramos Alayo, Tina Banchero, Sarah Bush, Clint Calimlim, Juan De La Rosa, Richelle Donigan, Folawole, Lena Gatchalian, Bruce Ghent, Fredrika Keefer, Krissy Keefer, and Sonya Smith; with Choreographic Contributions by Sara Shelton Mann, Lighting by Elaine Buckholtz, Video & Set by Matthew De Gumbia, Film by Ellen Bruno, Musical Director Floor Van Herreweghe and Taiko drumming composed by Bruce Ghent.
Ms Keefer's expertise in creating libretto, from the gripping Cinderella: A Tale of Survival to the critically acclaimed Revolutionary Nutcracker Sweetie, has found the perfect subject matter in the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Through this theatrical portrayal, the audience captures the profound meaning of the enlightened manuscript.
The book (the first of its kind), gives instructions to those dealing with death and dying. By providing a verbal guide to the deceased, this tradition shows how to use the moment of death to recognize the real nature of mind and attain liberation. The resulting dream like projections unfolds in predictable ways both frightening and beautiful. Ms. Keefer's 21st century interpretation is filled with intelligence, humor, irony at the same time staying true to the original interpretation and manuscript.
The stage set and video is by long time Dance Brigade collaborator, Matthew De Gumbia. Working with esteemed lighting designer and installation artist Elaine Buckholtz, they produce a translucent visual component depicting luminous images. They transform the stage from the celestial pure land, to the fiery hell realms to the land of the hungry ghost.
Ramon Ramos Alayo (SF Bay Guardian's Editor's Pick for Best Dance Dynamo 2009 And Goldie Wininer 2010) as the Lord of Death looms over the piece with terrifying yet seductive intent to judge the deceased, in her life, her intention, and her resulting rebirth. This part is played with emotional depth by the seasoned and the exquisite Lena Gatchalian. She is accompanied by veteran Dance Brigade dancers Tina Banchero and Sarah Bush with Richelle Donigan and Bruce Ghent on Taiko.
Ms Keefer, Sara Shelton Mann, and the dancers have created compelling choreography, allowing the ensemble cast to moves easily from the five Buddha family, representing the five qualities of the principle of enlightenment, to daily life of the ordinary Joe.
Bringing humor and wit to the show, Krissy Keefer as the Dakini Vajravahi, the diamond sow goddess, liberates the dying through fierce intelligence, dispelling ignorance and ignoring the status quo while offering insight and sacrilegious analysis to the situation.
Once again the Dance Brigade takes us on an incredible journey. In these dark and trying times our hope is in our rebirth and what better way to convey this than through this amazing multi-dimensional work infused with deep intelligence, humor and collective spirit. A show not to be missed!!
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