From: Eva Tessler [mailto:wetborderdog@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 8:41 PM
Subject: Latina Dance Theater Project SLUMBER OF REASON press release
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eva Tessler
wetborderdog@hotmail.com 3/10/11
BORDERLANDS THEATER AND THE LATINA DANCE THEATER PROJECT TO PRESENT “ THE SLUMBER OF REASON/EL SUENO DE LA RAZON”, APRIL 8- 10. ZUZI’S THEATER, 738 N. 5TH AVENUE.
“ Slumber of Reason is a fascinating hybridization of dance, theater, video, music and performance art…”
-M. Fritz,SoCal.com
A Multidisciplinary Dance Theater Performance
Inspired by Goya’s Iconic Los Caprichos
Tucson, AZ– Innovative performance group the Latina Dance Theater Project (LDTP) will bring their critically acclaimed piece, The Slumber of Reason (El Sueño de la Razon), to Zuzi’s Theater for one weekend only, Friday, April 8, Saturday, April 9,and Sunday , April 10, 2011. The work had its World Premiere at Los Angeles Theater Center in June, 2010. Directed by Tim Perez, The Slumber of Reason is a series of ten dark and humorous vignettes that depict various follies and foibles of mankind. The creative springboard for this interdisciplinary work is Spanish artist Francisco de Goya’s tour-de-force prints, Los Caprichos (The Caprices), considered one of the most profound indictments of human vice ever set on paper
“Even though Goya created his visions of chaos and brutality hundreds of years ago, they are still remarkably profound and relate to issues here and now,” says Licia Perea of LDTP, “His powerful images inspired us to create a new set of modern day ‘caprichos’ that explore contemporary demons.”
Following Goya’s example, LDTP uses humor as a tool for social criticism in the production’s ten vignettes. Each vignette illustrates a human folly or vice which may surface when a person does not use intelligence or reason to guide action. The vices targeted by LDTP range from relatively harmless texting obsessions, to preoccupation with physical beauty, to much more serious destructive urges that instigate war and murder. Hot button issues such as immigration, environmental degradation, and racism are also explored.
“In over 200 years of time, it’s pretty insane that the situation in the world isn’t necessarily better and has not really changed all that much,” says Perea, “We hope the world we recreate in this work not only hits the audience in the gut with this realization, but also makes them laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.”
Described as “edgy and thought-provoking” and “something different,” by theater reviewer Marianne Fritz of SocCal.com, The Slumber of Reason defies categorization, incorporating a fascinating hybrid of creative genres. The video that brings Goya’s work into a contemporary setting is by Jose Garcia Davis. The music in the work, by composer Wes Hambright, is as diverse as the different themes in the show, incorporating styles ranging from techno to blues. LDTP members in this production -- Perea, Juanita Suarez, Eva Tessler, Jose Garcia Davis,and Gabriela Nugent – also bring together a variety of creative talents, weaving together a rich tapestry of dance, song, art, and theater into the production.
Los Caprichos -
Enigmatic and controversial, Los Caprichos (1799), by Francisco de Goya, were created in a time of economic crisis and social unrest in Spain. Goya, who earned his living as a well-known court painter of the period, also used his art to denounce social abuses and superstitions in a passionate critique of ignorance and oppression. The Caprichos candidly deal with themes such as the Spanish Inquisition, corruption within the church and among the nobility, witchcraft, marital mistakes, and the general stupidity of the populace. Its subhuman cast includes witches, goblins, monks, aristocrats, prostitutes, and animals acting like human fools inhabiting a world on the margins of reason. The Caprichos (a term that translates to “whims,” “fantasies,” or “expressions of imagination”) are not, however, solely bleak in nature, they also often demonstrate the artist's wickedly satirical wit.
Latina Dance Theater Project -
LDTP is a group of five nationally recognized Latina/o dance theater artists who explore the voices of the hybrid cultures of Mexico, the United States, and Brazil. While none of the members of this unique company live in the same city, they are brought together by their passion to work as an equal, collaborative company. LDTP members are Licia Perea, a COLA and two-time NEA Fellow (Los Angeles); Juanita Suarez, PHD, recipient of MAP Fund and Berolzheimer Foundation grants (Brockport, NY); Eva Tessler, recipient from the Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Project 2005 (Tucson, AZ); Eluza Santos, PHD, a United Arts Council of NC grantee (Vitoria, Brazil); and award-winning writer, director, set designer, and performer Jose Garcia Davis (Los Angeles). The Company was founded in 2002 as a rising voice of a new aesthetic in contemporary dance-theater, having toured nationally and internationally since its inception. LDTP is joined by guest collaborators: acclaimed director Tim Perez (Vancouver, BC); costume designer Susie Cox (Dallas, TX); critically acclaimed composer Wes Hambright (Los Angeles); and lighting designer Wouter Feldbusch (Nashville, Tenn.)
The Slumber of Reason show times are at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 2 pm on Sunday. Ticket prices:
4/8- Celebracion $22 General and Senior, $10.75 Student
4/9 & 4/10- $19.75 General, $17.75 Senior, $10.75 Student
Outlets: Borderlands Theater office, 40 W. Broadway (12-5 M-F)
RESERVATIONS: 520- 882-7406
For information on LDTP, please see: http://www.latinadanceproject.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Latina-Dance-Project/107898625906942
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