Mosaic Dance Theater Company Presents "Beyond the Image" in Montclair, Dec. 7 & 8

Beyond the Image

WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 5:00 PM (pre-show lecture at 4:15) and Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 3:00 PM (pre-show lecture at 2:15)
WHERE: First Congregational Church, 40 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair
TICKETS: free of charge, and reservations are strongly recommended. 
Reservations can be made online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/4288415, or call 1-800-838-3006. For additional information, visit www.MosaicDanceTheaterCo.org.

Painters of the 19th century art academies of Europe were fascinated by the landscapes and the people of North Africa and the Middle East, and most especially, the culture and way of life in these lands. Mosaic Dance Theater Company brings some of these paintings to life through traditional and interpretive styles of Middle Eastern dance in Beyond the Image: Dancing Orientalist Art to Life. 

Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign in the final years of the 18th century drew the eyes of the world not only to his army’s unsuccessful military exploits, but also to the successful discovery and cataloguing of the incredible artifacts uncovered by his other army—archeologists, scholars, and engineers. Soon tourists flocked to North Africa, and with them, the artists, hungry for new subjects and locales. The life and culture of this part of the world became popular themes among academic painters of first half of the 19th century.

With choreography by Samara Adell, MDTC’s Artistic Director for Dance and Special Guest Artist Jehan Kamal, Beyond the Image re-imagines a moment in time captured on canvas, and brings it to life through dance.  Themes explored, as inspired by these paintings include life in the harem, a village marketplace in North Africa, and Ancient Egypt.  In addition, the concert includes an adaptation of The Paradise of Children by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne’s retelling of the myth of Pandora’s box, adapted and directed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, is presented in MDTC’s signature style of dance/story theater.

The production will include a pre-show lecture on Orientalist art led by guest lecturer Dr. Frédérique Joseph-Lowery, and a post-show Q&A with the cast.

Performing in the concert are Samara Adell, Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, Nina Brewton, Kaitlin Hines-Vargas, Danielle Hartman, Nabila Nazem, Lauren Laschuk, Andrea D’Arco, Rafael Domenech, and Special Guest Artist Jehan Kamal.

MOSAIC DANCE THEATER PRESENTS 2 MAJOR NEW WORKS

Mosaic Dance Theater Company Presents

An Evening of New Works

WHEN: Saturday, December 12, at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday, December 13, at 3:00 P.M.
WHERE: Westminster Arts Center, 449 Franklin St., Bloomfield, NJ
TICKETS: free to the general public. 
Advance reservations are recommended.  Reservations can be made online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2267116, or call 1-800-838-3006.
For additional information, visit www.MosaicDanceTheaterCo.org.

Two major new works will premiere in the award-winning Mosaic Dance Theater Company’s (MDTC) annual concert in Essex County, N.J. 

Opening the program are excerpts from Fo(u)r Women, created by Samara Adell, MDTC’s Artistic Director for Dance, and award-winning writer/composer Gary Kupper.  The piece is directed by Mr. Kupper, with choreography by Samara.  Fo(u)r Women is a theatrical multi-media dance celebration of four women of the Greater Middle East who overcame cultural and religious obstacles to attain greatness in their respective lives and times. Through song, dance and spoken word and aided by multimedia projections of photos, and archival film footage, the piece will tell the story of women’s timeless struggle for freedom to overcome the circumstances of their male dominated societies, embodying the majestic power and resilience of the human spirit.  A featured excerpt tells of Enheduanna, from 2200 B.C. Sumer, the first recorded non-anonymous author in history.

Also premiering is La Lettera d’Isabella (Isabella’s Letter), an original scenario for the commedia dell’arte, a remarkable form of physical theater and improvisation that originated in Italy and became all the rage in Europe, from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and is the genesis of the modern comedy played by such luminaries as the Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, to name a few.  Created and directed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, MDTC’s Producing Artistic Director, the scenario highlights the theatrical traditions of commedia and its characters.  The masked characters of Arlecchino, Brighella, Pantalone, and Il Capitano along with Isabella and Orazio, the pre-requisite pair of lovers, will be portrayed through movement and dance to an underscore of traditional Italian folk music.  Completing the program is Bastianelo, a humorous Italian folk tale presented in MDTC’s signature style of dance/story theater.

The program features MDTC dancers Samara Adell, Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, Nina Brewton, Kendra Dushac, Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning, and guest performers Heather Panikkar, Mary Lowman, and Mackenzie Knapp.

Based in Glen Ridge, N.J., MDTC is dedicated to the dance and folkloric traditions of the Mediterranean region. The Company’s original dance, theater, and educational programs celebrate the rich diversity of cultures of the lands of North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. The dances and music, the stories and myths, and the history and legends of this fascinating area form the wellspring of inspiration for MDTC’s creative vision.  Founded in 2003, this critically acclaimed company is known for its artistry and authenticity, not only in creating the original works that comprise its repertory, but also in faithfully researching their origins to ensure cultural integrity.  The Company is the recipient of the 2013 Sunshine Award for its contribution to the performing arts, recognized by NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the United Nations.  MDTC tours nationally to performing arts venues, universities, and educational facilities.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.