Published: October 28, 2009 01:57 pm      

Lutcher Theater Presents Parsons Dance in ‘Remember Me’

The Lutcher Theater presents Parsons Dance in collaboration with the lead vocalists from East Village Opera Company in “Remember Me,” at 7:30 p.m., Friday. A 10 a.m. lecture and demonstration will also be presented for area students.

Parsons Dance is an internationally renowned contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of choreographer David Parsons. Parsons Dance creates and performs contemporary American dance of extraordinary artistry that is entertaining and enriching to diverse audiences. The company of ten full-time dancers maintains a repertory of more than 70 works choreographed by David Parsons, 20 of which feature originally commissioned scores by leading composers and musicians.

Since 1985, Parsons Dance has toured an average of 32 weeks per year, to a total more than 235 cities, 30 countries, six continents and millions of audience members. Many others have seen Parsons Dance on PBS, Bravo, A&E Network, and the Discovery Channel. Millions watched Parsons Dance perform live in Times Square as part of the internationally broadcast, 24-hour Millennium New Year’s Eve celebration.

The most prestigious theaters, festivals and presenters the world over engage Parsons Dance, hoping to tap its audience power.

East Village Opera Company, started in 2004 by Canadians Peter Kiesewalter and Tyley Ross, was quickly signed to Decca/Universal records and met with universal praise from both classical and rock critics and fans. EVOC is known for re-composing classic opera arias, deducing them to basic melodies and then re-working them with contemporary sounds such as rock, pop, and rhythm and blues.

“Remember Me” is a thoroughly modern re-telling of a classic story of a tragic love triangle, with contemporary dance, aerial dance, live and recorded music, video projections, complex digital lighting and visual effects. A high-energy mix of contemporary American dance combined with opera and rock music creates what is known as “Remember Me.” This signature work re-imagines opera arias as popular songs, and includes pieces by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Schubert . David Parsons, Tyley Ross (lead male vocalist and co-founder of EVOC) and AnnMarie Milazzo (lead female vocalist) created a storyline that connects EVOC's signature operatic arias (from songs recorded on the band's Grammy-nominated albums) with David Parsons' original choreography.

In an emotion wrought interpretation, Abby Silva of New Orleans, Louisiana, as Marie gradually loses her self-assurance as a desired woman to become a victim as the tale of jealousy and rivalry unfolds. The envious brother Marcus, danced by Miguel Quinones with power and flash, manages like the snake of Eden to divide Marie from her chosen partner (he actually stealthily crawls on his belly to seize her). The steady but less volatile brother Luca, danced with a heroic steadfastness by Zac Hammer ultimately proves he comes from the same dangerously seething stock as his brother.

The evening performance will be preceded by a “Remember Me” reception and preshow talk by Michelle Ozmun, Professor of Dance at Lamar University. Ozmun will be discussing some of the key elements of Contemporary Dance. The reception and preshow talk will take place at 6:45 p.m. on the third floor in the lobby. All ticket holders for “Remember Me” are invited.

Tickets are available from $25 to $50 by calling 409-886-5535 or online at www.lutcher.org. The Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts is located at 707 Main, Orange, Texas.