FrenetiCore Dance Presents The Rite of Summer and Film Noir at Wortham Center

 

FrenetiCore Dance is excited to announce that it will revive its 2013 show, The Rite of Summer, for the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater stage on August 1, 2015. Artistic Director Rebecca French’s The Rite of Summer was originally created to commemorate the centennial of Stravinsky’s 1913 masterpiece, The Rite of Spring. Whereas the original Nijinsky ballet told the story of a primitive human sacrifice ritual, French’s choreography is a celebration of life, nature, and the exuberance of a bright summer day.

Date: August 1, 2015
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Cullen Theater, Wortham Center, 501 Texas Avenue
Tickets: $16 – $50

For tickets and more information please visit http://tickets.houstonfirsttheaters.com/single/EventListing.aspx

FrenetiCore Dance’s The Rite of Summer premiered in August 2013 at Frenetic Theater to three sold-out houses and critical acclaim from several media outlets. Writing for Houston Press, Abby Koenig wrote, “I cannot honestly remember the last time I left a performance, of any kind, filled with as much enthusiasm as I did after leaving Frenetic Theater this past Saturday night. And I know that I was not the only one. Aside from the fact that the show was overly sold out, the loud buzz of gusto coming from the audience verified the feelings that I had.”

The Rite of Summer features stunning costume work by Houston designer Ashley Horn, and an imaginative rendering of Stravinsky’s music by composer Chris Becker. Alese Pickering of Houstonia Magazine noted the production’s exceptional production values, as well as the strength of French’s choreography. “At times the dancers move together like cells in a biological system. The movement ranged from organic and fluid to sharp and staccato, bringing to mind the constant movement of flora and fauna in a hot summer landscape.”

Rebecca French Debuts New Collaboration with Houston Singer/Songwriter Andrew Karnavas

The Rite of Summer program will also feature Film Noir, a new eighteen-minute dance work choreographed by Artistic Director Rebecca French and set to the music of Houston singer-songwriter Andrew Karnavas. The piece takes its inspiration from Karnavas’ album of the same name, and features interactive art projections by Grace Rodriguez and innovative choreography that celebrates film noir style with a story of hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, danger, love and murder. The production will incorporate costumes by Ashley Horn and film projections to create a shadowy, sultry mood full of romantic intrigue.

In addition to Karnavas, FrenetiCore Dance welcomes guest performers Cirque La Vie. One of Houston’s premier circus companies, Cirque La Vie is dedicated to inspiring audiences with their daring acrobatics, amazing feats of physical daring, and unparalleled artistry and craft. Directed by founder Reyie Delgado, Cirque La Vie will present a short opener to set the stage for the mystery of Film Noir and the pageantry of The Rite of Summer.

Cast:

Danielle Artis, Ashley Boykin, Brenda Baez, Lauren Burke, Adam Castaneda, Rebecca French, Jaime Garcia, Carlos Guzman, Kelsey Kincaid, Taylor Martin, Michelle Mayo, Lyric Williams