 Gobbledygook (premiere)
Inspired by the curiously anthropophagous ramanga of Madagascar, various kaidan or “ghost stories” from the Edo period in Japan, and the folktale Jugemu (made famous by the Rakugo performance tradition and later echoed in the popular 1968 children’s book Tikki tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel), Gobbledygook is a solo for Japanese dancer Eikazu Nakamura incarnating an imaginary version of the Buddhist segaki ritual concerned with personal atonement and easing the suffering of the wandering dead. The work is set to a sound-score by David Griffin, and the costumes are by Christopher Williams and Andy Jordan. June 3rd-5th, 2010 at 8pm and June 6th, 2010 at 3pm Hen′s Teeth (premiere)Incorporating imagery of the mysterious flying women found in a Breton fairytale preserved by 19th century folklorist François-Marie Luzel, the Graeae, or three swan-like crones of ancient Greek myth who share only one eye and one tooth between them, and that associated with the display of holy relics in the middle ages, Hen’s Teeth is a work for three middle-aged women, seven younger women, and one man set to the homophonic chanson Cigne ie suis de candeur by Claude Le Jeune (c. 1528-1600) as well as to contemporary music by Gregory Spears in the form of a requiem mass sung in Breton by members of Lionheart and Anonymous 4. Costumes for the work are designed by Christopher Williams, Andy Jordan, and Carol Binion. June 3rd-5th, 2010 at 8pm and June 6th, 2010 at 3pm |
 Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival Gallery Puppets from The Golden Legend will be on display as part of the Voice 4 Vision Festival curated by Jane Catherine Shaw and Sarah Provost. The gallery will also feature pupets by Lake Simons, Federico Restrepo, Howie Leifer, Anna Sobel, Sinking Ship, Eric Wright, Gary Mirabelle, Caitlin Lainoff, Judy Schwartz, Paul Spirito, and Jane Catherine Shaw. Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival December 3rd-December 13th, 2009 Tickets $15/$8 per show The Portuguese Suite (excerpts) Dancers Christopher Williams, Paul Singh, and Jennifer Lafferty perform excerpts from The Portuguese Suite set to traditional Portuguese fado songs recorded by the legendary Amália Rodrigues in Dance New Amsterdam′s 25th Anniversary Gala evening. DNA 25th Anniversary Gala!
October 24th, 2009, 8pm Tickets: $25 The Golden Legend (world premiere) A 13th century work by the blessed Jacobus de Voragine known as the Legenda Aurea Sanctorum (or Golden Legend of the Saints), which was probably the most widely read text other than the bible during its heyday, serves as inspiration for this epic work. Loosely following fantastical tales mentioned in the ancient text, the piece consists of portraits of 17 male saints performed by corporeally and ethnically diverse male dancers of many ages within the New York City dance community accompanied by appearances of two movement choruses and puppets by Eric Wright, Lake Simons, and Christopher Williams. Music for the work runs the gamut from extant medieval hymns, antiphons, laude, motets, and conductus from as early as the 12th century, written in praise of each saint, to original compositions by distinguished composers Gregory Spears and Peter Kirn performed live by select members of Lionheart, Anonymous 4, and the New York Consort of Viols. Costumes for the work are by Carol Binion, Michael Oberle, Ciera Wells, Andy Jordan, and Christopher Williams. The lighting design is by Joe Levasseur, and the set is by Tom Lee.
Featuring David Parker, Paul Singh, Luke Gutgsell, Dušan Perović, John Kelly, Jonah Bokaer, Julian Barnett, Glen Rumsey, Dylan Crossman, Rommel Salveron, Keith Sabado, Nicky Paraiso, Chris Elam, Aaron Mattocks, Luke Miller, Stuart Singer, Reid Bartelme, Chris M. Green, Charley Scott, Gus Solomons, Jr., Carlton Ward, Alberto Denis, David Neumann, Brian Brooks, Philip Montana, Bryan Campbell, Sydney Skybetter, Clay Drinko, Arturo Vidich, Brandin Steffensen, Sarah Bodley, Jennifer Lafferty, Renée Archibald, Abby Block, Storme Sundberg, Coco Karol, Erin K. Orr, Takemi Kitamura, Kate Brehm, and Lake Simons. Dance Theater Workshop May 12th-16th, 2009, 7:30pm* *Post performance discussion with the choreographer moderated by Dan Hurlin on 5/13 and pre-performance coffee and conversation on 5/14 at 6:30pm with Nancy Dalva. Tickets $26/$15 (members, students, and seniors) Reservations: (212) 924-0077 or online at www.dtw.org Visit www.dancetheaterworkshop.org/williams for more information. The Golden Legend (informal showing/lecture demonstration) Sarah Lawrence College March 9th, 2009, 3:45pm Sarah Lawrence College Pink Empowerment Dancer Renée Archibald performs an excerpt from Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins at the Wellness Day, Dance Concert and Artist Health Fair presented by Move for Breast Cancer Awareness (MBCA) February 8th, 2009 at 2pm The Dance Concert features works by: Monica Bill Barnes & Dancers FREE ADMISSION Wellness Day FREE ADMISSION 9:00am-12:00pm Reception & Services Fair FREE ADMISSION 3:30pm-5:00pm Move for Breast Cancer Awareness (MBCA)is a project of the Queens Academy of Arts & Dance [QuA²D] The Voyage of the Húi Corra (excerpts) Dancers Sydney Skybetter, Bryan Campbell, Benjamin Asriel, and Philip Montana perform excerpts from The Voyage of the Húi Corra, a work inspired by fabulous 6th and 7th century Irish adventure tales known as Immrama (“rowings about” or "voyaging") set to excerpts of the earliest complete polyphonic mass that has come down to us from the 14th century known as Le Messe de Tournai. Artist Advisory Board APAP Showcase January 10th, 2009 at 2pm* Danspace Project Reservations can be made at www.danspaceproject.org or by calling the reservation hotline (212) 674-8194. The Golden Legend (excerpts)
Sketches for two new saint portraits (work-in-progress) including performances by dancers Stuart Singer, Brandin Steffensen, Arturo Vidich, and Paul Singh will be shown as part of a shared program also featuring Ximena Garnica, Elise Knudson, and Sônia Lopes Soares. Dixon Place December 5th, 2008, 10:00pm Dixon Place (new location) Info: (212) 219-0736 The Portuguese Suite (excerpts) Dancers Christopher Williams, Paul Singh, and Jennifer Lafferty perform excerpts from The Portuguese Suite set to traditional Portuguese fado songs recorded by the legendary Amália Rodrigues in the third annual White Wave Rising Series. White Wave Rising Series October 22nd (gala performance), 23rd, and 25th, 2008 at 7:30pm, October 26th, 2008 at 4:00pm John Ryan Theater The Golden Legend (excerpt) Sketches for a brand new saint portrait (in-progress) including performances by dancer Paul Singh as well as by dancers selected at Bates Dance Festival will be shown as part of the festival's culmination.
Bates Dance Festival Different Voices August 7th-8th, 2008, 8pm Schaeffer Theatre Tickets $20/$12* Trapèze (or the misadventure of the sorcerer's menagerie)
This work represents my take on the obscure, one-act circus ballet, Trapèze by Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) scored for a quintet featuring violin, viola, double bass, clarinet, and oboe. The premiere of this new version for six dancers with costumes by Carol Binion in the legendary Spiegeltent will be its second staging since the 1920's. The evening will also include new music by composer Gregory Spears. 19th Annual Bard Music Festival and Bard SummerScape in the Spiegeltent at Bard College $25, $15 (matinees), $5 (children) Ticket information: (845) 758-7900 or http://www.fishercenter.bard.edu/calendar/ Travel information: http://www.fishercenter.bard.edu/travel/ The Portuguese Suite (excerpt) Christopher Williams performs his solo from The Portuguese Suite entitled ginja sem caroço (sour cherry with no stone) set to a traditional Portuguese fado song recorded by the legendary Amália Rodrigues in Dancing for Micki, a showcase of various choreographers' works including Meredith Monk, Tom Bogdan, Mark Bennett, HT Chen & Dian Dong, Yoshiko Chuma, Keely Garfield & Lawrence Goldhuber, John Jasperse, Deborah Jowitt, Jodi Melnick, Sara Rudner, Nicky Paraiso, John Scott, Doug Elkins, Ping Chong, Vicky Shick, Chris Yon & Taryn Griggs, Jonah Bokaer, and John Kelly. The evening, honoring the illustrious Micki Wesson, will benefit the La Mama Moves Festival. Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 7:30pm La Mama E.T.C. Annex Box Office: (212) 475-7710 The Golden Legend (excerpt) Dancer Charley Scott appears with a chorus of puppets by Christopher Williams, Eric Wright, and Lake Simons in a further developed portrait of Saint Francis of Assisi including live music performed by Laurence Pangaro and members of the men's ensemble Lionheart as part of the Movement Research at Judson Church series. Costumes by Christopher Williams and Ciera Courtney Wells. Set by Tom Lee. Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 8pm (doors open at 7:45pm) Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South) Admission is free! The Voyage of the Húi Corra.JPG) Ultimately part of a cycle of works inspired by fabulous 6th and 7th century Irish adventure tales known as Immrama (“rowings about” or "voyaging") in which saints, heroes, or troubled men are often set adrift in boats with no oars and encounter strange, uncharted magical lands with curious inhabitants, The Voyage of the Húi Corra is a work for five men and a chorus of twelve women set to excerpts of the earliest complete polyphonic mass that has come down to us from the 14th century known as Le Messe de Tournai. Premiere performances of the work with costumes by Ciera Courtney Wells and Carol Binion will be danced by members of NYU's Second Avenue Dance Company. New York University, Tisch School of the Arts Department of Dance April 2nd-7th, 2008 at 8pm For information, please call 212.998.1982. The Golden Legend (excerpts) Sketches for two brand new saint portraits (in-progress) including performances by dancers Silas Riener and Luke Miller as well as male chorus with original music by composers Gregory Spears and Peter Kirn featuring a live viola da gamba quartet will be shown as part of the Movement Research at Judson Church series. Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 8pm (doors open at 7:45pm) Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South) Admission is free! Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival Gallery Puppets from my work in progress The Golden Legend will be on display in the lobby as part of the Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival curated by Cathy Shaw and Sarah Provost. Performances on various nights by puppeteers Chris Green, Lisa Gonzales, Erin Orr, Chinese Theater Works, Carrionettes, Joe Silovsky, and others. Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival November 29th-December 9th, 2007 Tickets $15/$8 per show The Voyage of the Húi Corra (preview).jpg) Ultimately part of a cycle of works inspired by fabulous 6th and 7th century Irish adventure tales known as Immrama (“rowings about” or "voyaging") in which saints, heroes, or troubled men are often set adrift in boats with no oars and encounter strange, uncharted magical lands with curious inhabitants, The Voyage of the Húi Corra is a work for five men and a chorus of twelve women set to excerpts of the earliest complete polyphonic mass that has come down to us from the 14th century known as Le Messe de Tournai. Previews of this newly commissioned work with work-in-progress costumes by Ciera Courtney Wells and Carol Binion will be performed by dancers of NYU's Second Avenue Dance Company.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts Department of Dance December 6th-8th, 2007 at 8pm For reservations and information, please call 212.998.1982.
The Portuguese Suite Wellspring/Cori Terri & Dancers present The Portuguese Suite The Portuguese Suite, is composed of nine dances all constructed in relation to both medieval love spells involving a particular herb or fruit considered by early herbalists to possess magical properties and a traditional Portuguese fado song recorded by the legendary Portuguese singer Amália Rodrigues. It is said that this particular style of singing known as fado or “fate” was born from the half singing, half weeping laments of the wives of sailors who set sail and left them alone on the mainland for long periods of time. These dances, for two ethnically diverse men and a chorus of seven carpideiras or "weeping women," explore the broad emotional range from ecstatic to dolorous and from tender to dangerous within inter-cultural relationships between male lovers. Epic Center's Wellspring Theater October 18th-20th, 2007 at 8pm (for Tickets call the Community Box Office at 269/387-2300 or 800/228-9858) Asshole I will present a new, one-minute work entitled Asshole in the Vox Novus 60 x 60 Festival, consisting of dances to 60 works by 60 composers all 60 seconds or less. Vox Novus 60 x 60 Festival August 26th, 12:30pm http://www.voxnovus.com/60x60.htm Virgo Genitrix (excerpts) Dancer Tara Lorenzen performs excerpted solos from the larger work Virgo Genitrix (2003), set to 14th century composer Guillaume de Machaut's opus Le Lai de la Fontienne, inspired by the curious phenomena of desert asceticism, mortification of the flesh, holy fasting, sexual abstinence, daemonology, as well as the concepts of the transformation of the harlot to saint, and the noble savage as linked to prelapsarian innocence from a feminine perspective.
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8pm Dixon Place HOT! Festival the 16th annual celebration of queer culture Puppet Blok The Golden Legend (excerpts) Three saints (Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint James the Greater, and Saint Pancras) complete this program interwoven with solos from the 70's-90's by renowned choreographer Douglas Dunn. Performances by Charley Scott, Nicky Paraiso, Keith Sabado, Rommel Salveron, Aaron Mattocks, and special guests are complemented by singers Michael Ryan-Wenger, John Olund, and Kurt-Owen Richards from Lionheart along with accompaniment by Laurence Pangaro and Malina Rauschenfels on viol da gamba. Original music by Gregory Spears.
La Mama E.T.C. (Club Space) 74A East 4th St. NY, NY 10003 The Tale of Layla and Majnun (excerpt)This is the first tidbit of a new work inspired by a 12th century Persian poem of the same name by mystic poet Nizami with dancers Derry Swan, Jennifer Goggans, Jennifer Lafferty, Christopher Williams, and Ursula Eagly.
as part of the Dance Sampler at Symphony Space |