Governors State University OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship

Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia Center for Performing Arts

11-9-2002 Opus Cactus Center for Performing Arts

Follow this and additional works at: http://opus.govst.edu/cpa_memorabilia

Recommended Citation Center for Performing Arts, "Opus Cactus" (2002). Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia. Book 203. http://opus.govst.edu/cpa_memorabilia/203

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Performing Arts at OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia by an authorized administrator of OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. fOR PCftfORMIHO DftTS Governors State University MOMIX Presents Opus Cactus Saturday, November 9th , 2002 8:00 p.m.

2002/2003 Season sponsored in part by a grant from the:

SOUTH LAN O

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUMAU 1-86a-89s-a233 wwkv.CBCvb.com OPUS CACTUS OPUS CACTUS PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE

PRESENTED BY Conceived & Directed by: Moses Pendelton Assisted by: Cynthia Quinn, Kori Darling, Brian MOMIX Sanders, Craig Berman, Amphaymany MOSES PENDLETON Keohavong, Nicole Loizides, Jane'l Artistic Director Caropolo, Kara Oculato, Brian Simerson, Michael Holdsworth and with the Ballet Arizona. Performed by: Danielle Arico, Anthony Heinl, Michael DANIELLE ARICO, ANTHONY HEINL, MICHAEL HOLDSWORTH, Holdsworth, Eric Jeffers, Pi Keohavong, ERIC JEFFERS, PI KEOHAVONG, SUZANNE LAMPL, Suzanne Lampl, Natalie Lomonte, Kara NATALIE LOMONTE, KARA OCULATO, Oculato, Penny Saunders, Brian Simerson PENNY SAUNDERS, BRIAN SIMERSON Lighting Design: Joshua Starbuck and Moses Pendleton Puppet Design: Michael Curry Lighting Design Sculpture Design: Alan Boeding JOSHUA STARBUCK Costume Design: Phoebe Katzin Associate Lighting Design: John Finen III Costume Design PHOEBE KATZIN * Opening solo and Fire Dance choreographed by Brian Sanders

Puppet Design PARTI MICHAEL CURRY 1. Sonoran: But Not Asleep 2. Desert Storm Sculpture Design 3. Cactus Wren / Morning Star ALAN BOEDING 4. Pole Dance 5. Desert Blooms Director of Production / Associate Lighting Design 6. Ostrich of the Imagination JOHN FINEN III 7. Prickly Pair 8. Black Mesa Technical Director 9. Sidewinder JEFFREY MAIN 10. Gila Dance 11. Tracking the Earth MOMIX • Box 1035 Washington, Connecticut 06793 12. Caravan Tel: 860«868«7454 Fax: 860»868«2317 Email: momix@snet.net Website: www.momix.com PART II 13. Dream Catcher For Booking Information Contact: 14. Menitation Margaret Selby 15. Sundance Columbia Artists Management Inc. 16. Big Pole Dance 165 West 57th Street, NYC, NY 10019-2276 17. Totem Ph: (212) 841-9554 Fx: (212) 841-9770 E-mail: [email protected] 18. Fire Walker 19. First Contact

OPUS CACTUS is performed with one 20 minute intermission. ABOUT THE COMPANY ing Pilobolus Dance Theater in 1971, he OPUS CACTUS SOUNDTRACK: Known internationally for presenting work of formed his own company Momix in the early 1. Sonoran: But Not Asleep: The Swingle Singers exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty, 80's and has been its artistic director since 1984. Mr. Pendleton has also worked exten- "Largo" (from Harpsichord Concerto), Composer: J.S. Bach, Arranger: Ward MOMIX is a company of dancer-illusionists under the direction of Moses Pendleton. For sively in film, TV, and opera and as a chore- Swingle, Recording: "Keyboard Classics", 2000 Distribution: 20 years, MOMIX has been celebrated for its ographer for ballet companies and special www.swinglesingers.com ability to conjure up a world of surrealistic events. Mr. Pendleton was born and raised on 2. Desert Storm: Adam Plack, Johnny (White Ant) Soames images using props, light, shadow, humor and a dairy farm in Northern Vermont, and his ear- "Willi Willi" from Winds of Warning* the human body. liest experiences as a showman came exhibit- 3. Cactus Wren / Morning Star: Peter Buffet ing his family's dairy cows at the Caledonian In addition to stage performances world-wide, County Fair. He received his B.A. in English "The Dream" from Spirit Dance, Distribution: Hollywood Records the company has frequently worked on special Literature from Dartmouth College in 1971 4. Pole Dance: Adam Plack, Johnny (White Ant) Soames projects, in film and in television. MOMIX has and immediately began touring with Pilobolus, "The Hunt" from Winds of Warning* made five Italian RAI television features broad- which had grown out of dance classes with 5. Desert Blooms: Brian Eno cast to 55 countries (including the USSR and Alison Chase at Dartmouth. The group shot "But If from The Drop, Published by Opal Music China) and has performed on Antenne II in to fame in the 1970's, performing on Broad- way under the sponsorship of Pierre Cardin, 6. Ostrich of the Imagination: TUU France. MOMIX was also featured in PBS's "Dance in America" series. The company par- touring internationally, and appearing in PBS's "Migration" from Mesh, Fathom/Hearts of Space ticipated in the "Homage a Picasso" in Paris "Dance in America" and "Great Perfor- 7. Prickly Pair: TUU and was selected to represent the US at the mances" series. "Mesh" from Mesh, Fathom/Hearts of Space European Cultural Center at Delphi. MOMIX 8. Black Mesa: Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors dancers Cynthia Quinn and Karl Baumann By the end of the decade, Mr. Pendleton had "Black Mesa" from Ritual, Distribution: Raven Recording played the role of "Bluey" in the film "FX II," begun to work outside of Pilobolus, perform- ing in and serving as principal choreographer 9. Sidewinder: Transglobal Underground under the direction of Moses Pendleton. The company is featured on a Decca Records laser for the Paris Opera's "Integrale Erik Satie" in "Ali Mullah" from Rejoice/Rejoice, Distribution: MCA disc, appearing with Charles Dutoit and the 1979 and choreographing the Closing Ceremo- 10. Gila Dance: Brent Lewis & Peter Wood Montreal Symphony in the Rhombus Media nies of the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid in "Outback Attack" from Thunder Down Under: Tribal Drumming and Didgeridoo film of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibi- 1980. In 1981 he created Momix, which rap- 11. Tracking the Earth: LeDuc tion", winner of an International Emmy for Best idly established an international reputation for "Touareg" from Buddah Bar, Published by PST! Performing Arts Special. In 1992, Mr. highly inventive and often illusionistic chore- ography. The troupe has been touring steadily 12. Caravan: Jose Nieto, Hemza Al-Din Pendleton created "Bat Habits," developed with the support of the Scottsdale Cultural Council/ and is currently performing several programs "The Lost City" from Passion in the Desert: Music from the Motion Picture Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale Ari- internationally. The company has made nu- Soundtrack zona and the University of Washington to cel- merous special programs for Italian and 13. Dream Catcher: NOMAD ebrate the opening of the San Francisco Gi- French television and received the Gold Medal "Mountain Walk East" from Nomad* ants' new spring training park in Scottsdale, of the Verona Festival in 1994. 14. Menitation: Mickey Hart Arizona. This work was the forerunner of Mr. Pendleton has also been active as a per- "Pigs in Space" from At The Edge. Distribution by Rykodisc "Baseball" which was created by Mr. Pendleton in 1994. MOMIX is featured in one of the first former and choregrapher for other companies. 15. Sundance: Joanne Shenandoah & Tom Wasinger IMAX films in 3-D, "IMAGINE," premiered He has staged Picabia's Dadaist ballet "Prophecy Song" from Orenda - courtesy of Silver Wave Records at the Taejon Expo 93 and subsequently re- "Relache" for the Jeffrey Ballet and www.silverwave.com 1 -800-SIL-WAVE leased at IMAX theaters world-wide. MOMIX "Tutuguri," based on the writings of Artaud, 16. Big Pole Dance: Adam Plack, Johnny (White Ant) Soames has performed throughout the United States, for the Deutsch Open He created the role of "Initiation" from Winds of Warning* Canada, Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, the Fool for Yuri Lyubimov's production of Mussorgsky's "Khovanschina" at La Scala and 17. Totem: Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors Russia, Denmark, Spain, England, Austria, Ire- land, Holland, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, choreographed Rameau's, "Platee" for the U.S. "Stillness" from Tribe, Distribution: Raven Recording Chile, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Austra- Spoleto Festival in 1987. He contributed cho- 18. Fire Walker: Dead Can Dance lia. The company is based in Washington, Con- reography to Lina Wertmuller's production of "Mother Tongue" from The Serpent's Egg, Distribution by Warner Bros. necticut. "Carmen" at the Munich State Opera in 1993. 19. First Contact: Douglass Spotted Eagle More recently he has choreographed new "First Contact" from Pray, Market. & Manuf. by Higher Octave Music For thirty years Moses Pendleton has been one works for the Arizona Ballet and the Aspen of America's most innovative and widely per- Santa Fe Ballet. He teamed up with Danny *Courtesy of Australian Music International formed choreographers and directors. One of Ezralow and David Parsons to choreograph the founding members of the ground-break "AEROS" with the Romanian gymnastics team. Natalie Lomonte (Dancer), originally from 2001, Penny joined MOMIX to perform that His film and televison work includes the fea- Michael Holdsworth (Dancer) began dancing Houston, TX, moved to NY in 1999 to attend work. ture film "FXII," with Cynthia Quinn, "Moses while studying at the University of Connecti- Marymount Manhattan College, where she has Pendleton Presents Moses Pendleton" for ABC cut. After graduating he went on to study with been studying as a BFA dance major for the Brian Simerson (Dancer), a native of Virginia ARTS cable, winner of a Cine Golden Eagle Chris Gibson and Sarah Franklin at the Hart- past three years. She is a member of the Beach, VA has been with MOMIX since 1994. award, and "Pictures at an Exhibition," with ford Conservatory. From there he continued Marymount Manhattan Dance Company and Under the direction of Deborah Thorpe, he Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony, his training with Nutmeg Ballet where he was most recently performed in the U.S. and Scot- graduated from the Governor's School for the which received an International Emmy for Best first introduced to MOMIX. Michael has also land with GO, under the direction of Ashlie Arts, Norfolk, VA in 1990. During this time Performing Arts Special in 1991. Mr. performed with Tim Martins. This is his first Soloman. Natalie would like to thank her fam- he was awarded by the National Arts and Tal- Pendleton has made music videos with Prince, season with MOMIX. ily and friends and say she loves them as she ent Recognition Foundation, and also placed Julian Lennon, and Cathy Dennis, among oth- makes her professional company debut this first in the Virginia Fine Arts Award program. ers. His 3D film "Imagine" was released in Eric Jeffers (Dancer) began his dance train- season with MOMIX. Brian continued his studies at New York IMAX theaters worldwide in 1994. ing in college at the North Carolina School of University's Tisch School for the Arts, gradu- the Arts. He furthered his studies at the School Kara Oculato (Dancer) was born in New ating with a BFA in dance, choreography and An avid and original photographer, shows of of American Ballet and the Houston Ballet Paltz, New York, and attended the Profes- music. From 1992-1994, Brian was a princi- Mr. Pendleton's work have been presented in Academy, eventually joining the Houston Bal- sional Children's School and the School of pal member of the Erick Hawkins Dance Com- London, Milan, Montreal, and Aspen. Images let in 1996. Two years later he became a mem- American Ballet. In 1992 she was awarded pany. He has also worked with Stephen of his extensive annual sunflower plantings at ber of Ballet Arizona where he had the oppor- the top level prize in Ballet by the National Petronio, Bill T Jones, Kevin Wynn, and in his home in northwestern Connecticut have tunity to help create "Opus Cactus" with Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. The 1996 was featured in a duet choreographed been featured in numerous books and articles Moses Pendleton. Eric is originally from same year she was awarded a gold metal as by Graeme Murphy of the Sydney Dance Com- on gardening. He is the subject of the book South Carolina where he occasionally returns Presidential Scholar in the Arts by President pany for the Inaugural Brisbane Festival in "Salto di Gravita," by Lisavetta Scarbi, pub- to work as a white water raft guide and ropes George Bush, and was invited to perform at Australia. While dancing with MOMIX, Brian lished in Italy in 1999. course instructor. Eric joined MOMIX for the the Kennedy Center. She joined American has traveled around the world to Europe, Is- touring of Opus Cactus in 2001. Ballet Theater in 1992, performing at the Met rael, Moscow, South America, Japan and Aus- Mr. Pendleton was a recipient of the Connecti- and touring with them to Japan, Greece, Den- tralia. Since 1995, Brian has been on the fac- cut Commission on the Arts Governor's Award Suzanne Lampl (Dancer) was born in mark and Argentina. She then joined Penn- ulty of The Nutmeg Ballet Company, in 1998. He received the Positano Choreo- Shawnee, Oklahoma where she performed in sylvania Ballet, where she performed princi- Torrington, CT. Here he has choreographed graphic Award in 1999 and was a Guggenheim community theater as Annie in "Annie," Kim pal roles in ballets by Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, numerous works including "RAGA" which Fellow in 1977. He is currently a nominee for McAfee in "Bye, Bye Birdie" and Yente in Paul Taylor, Jacques d'Amboise, Robert was most recently performed at the First Con- an American Choreography Award for his "Fiddler on the Roof." From there, she went Weiss, David Parsons and John Cranko's necticut Dance Festival 2000. He has been contributions to choreography for film and on to study modern dance at the North Caro- Romeo & Juliet. In 1995, Ms. Oculato was chosen as Choreographer-In-Residence for television. lina School of the Arts, the London Contem- chosen by People Magazine as one of their Nutmeg Ballet's 2000-2001 season. Other porary School of Dance and S.U.N.Y. Pur- 50 most beautiful people in the world. In 1998 choreographic commissions include Skidmore Danielle Arico (Dancer) began her training chase where she performed works by Richard she joined the Hartford Ballet, and performed College, Northwestern University, NYU/Tisch at the age of 7 at the Connecticut Youth Ballet Gain and Kevin Wynn. In New York, she has principal roles in Martha Graham's Diversion School for the Arts, New York Ballet Compe- with Caren DiVicino. She later trained with performed and choreographed for the Next of Angels, Peggy Lyman's Interior Landscapes tition, and Governor's School for the Arts, the Nutmeg Ballet where she danced princi- Stage Company. During her three seasons with , Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Timothy Melady's Norfolk, VA, and the Shakespeare Festival pal and soloist roles in various ballets includ- MOMIX, she has performed in the U.S., Unraveling Gypsy, The American 2000 Westminster School, Simsbury, CT. In ing Kirk Peterson's Afternoon of a Faun and Canada, Europe, Israel and the Canary Islands. Nutcracker's Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jean addition to his dance credits, Brian is a com- Joseph Albano's Strauss Waltz. After gradu- She has also appeared on TV in Europe as a Grand-Maitre's Romeo and Juliet. Kara has poser, with commissions from Bucknell Uni- ating from Nutmeg's Residency Program, she member of MOMIX. She would like to thank also studied privately with Hilda Morales, versity, Northwestern University, NYU/Tisch, danced with the Albano Ballet Company and Stephan for his patience, love and inspiration Gelsey Kirkland and Dame Margot Fonteyn. Governor's School for the Arts, Nutmeg Bal- the Richmond Ballet as a trainee. Danielle and her Mom for her continuous support and let, Hartford Ballet, Maximum Dance/Miami, joined MOMIX in 2000. encouragement. Penny Saunders (Dancer) is originally from DTW, Manuel Betanzos/Sevilla, Spain, Florida where she began her formal training Monica Morra/Torino, Italy and MOMIX. In Anthony Heinl (Dancer) graduated from the Pi Keohavong (Dancer) a native of Laos, re- at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton. 2000, Brian released his first CD, Dance Department of the Boston Conserva- ceived his dance training at the University of After graduating in 1995 from Harid, she be- "ZIMMERISM". Brian is honored to be the tory in 2001. Prior to attending the conserva- Southwestern Louisiana, American Dance gan dancing professionally with The Ameri- recipient of a fellowship from The Connecti- tory, Anthony worked on a vineyard in France Festival, and the Erick Hawkins school of can Repertory Ballet under the direction of cut Commission on the Arts 2001 and to have and played Jesus in the touring company of Dance. After college, he moved to New York Septime Webre. After four seasons with ARB, his choreography presented by the Ballet "Jesus Christ Superstar." He studied physics City and performed for two seasons with the she left to join Ballet Arizona in 1999. It was Builders/NYC showcase in March 2001. and chemistry in school. He has been danc- Erick Hawkins Dance Company. Pi joined there, in the desert, that she was first exposed Www.briansimerson.com ing with MOMIX since May of 2001. MOMIX in 1997. to the work of Moses Pendleton. In Alan Boeding (Sculpture Design) a native of oriented production designs, such as those seen Chamberlain, South Dakota, received his BFA at the 1996 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, in Sculpture from the University of South Da- Superbowl 2000 and New York City's Times kota in 1980 and his MFA from Indiana Uni- Square 2000 Millennium event. versity in 1983. Alan began dancing with the Windfall Modern Dance Company in 1981. Phoebe Katzin (Costume Designer) has been Since then he has performed with Ruby Shang designing and constructing dresses and cos- and Dancers at the American Dance Festival; tumes for over twenty years. After graduat- Dancers Unlimited in Dallas, Texas; and with ing from Endicott College's fashion design Daniel Ezralow's Conspiracies and Collabora- program, she worked for Kitty Daly building tions at Dance Theater Workshop in New York. dance costumes and dressmaking. For sev- A highlight in Alan's career was a solo perfor- eral years she lived in New York making cos- mance in the Rome Colosseum, in The Night tumes for Kitty Leach, Greg Barnes, and of Music, Italy Rada Film by Andrea Allison Conner, among others. For the past Andermann, in 1987. He has performed as a few years, she has been working for MOMIX guest artist for the Amnesty International Gala and Pilobolus. Ms. Katzin lives in Connecti- at the Joyce Theater in New York 1988, and cut with her three children and her husband, Serata di Gala at the Theatre Olympico in Rome James. in 1989. Also that year he collaborated with Lincoln Nebraska's 240 member marching band John H Finen III (Director of Production) in the homecoming half-time performance at Other projects have included: Production Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. In Manager for TAP DOGS 1998 US Tour, Pro- July 1990, Alan performed in a three city In- duction Stage Manager for Jam on the Groove, ternational Etoiles Gala in Japan. He has re- tour of Europe and Japan, Assistant Lighting cently formed his own sculpture/dance com- Supervisor for the Alvin Ailey American pany and is creating new sculpture and chore- Dance Theater, and Assistant Lighting De- ography. Alan received a "work space" grant signer for Jeky 11 and Hyde on Broadway. Prior from the 92nd Street Y in New York City to to rejoining MOMIX in 2002, John worked continue his work. He has been working with for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Cen- MOMIX since 1984. ter as a Stage Manager. John is excited to be returning to the surreal world of MOMIX. Michael Curry (Puppet Design) has collabo- rated with Julie Taymor on many stage and Joshua Starbuck (Lighting Designer), col- opera productions. On Broadway, he has laborated with Moses Pendleton on his world worked on numerous shows including Crazy premiere of "Opus Cactus" for Ballet Arizona For You and Kiss of the Spider Woman. He last Spring. He has designed numerous pro- has been awarded the 1998 Drama Desk Award ductions and tours for Ballet Arizona. He has for Outstanding Puppet Design for The Lion toured five continents with many of his de- King, several Emmys and the 1999 Eddy Award signs for dance, ice skating, opera, industri- for Outstanding Contribution in the Technical als, concerts and theater. He has designed for and Design Field. Michael is one of the Arena Stage, Playwrights Horizons, The Man- country's leading production design consultants hattan Theater Club, The Public Theater, Co- and works widely in both conceptual and tech- conut Grove Playhouse, Walnut Street The- nical development for some of the world's fore- ater, Williamstown Theater Festival and oth- most entertainment companies. He owns and ers. He has also worked with the Kirov Ballet, operates Michael Curry Design, Inc. in St. The Royal Ballet, The Spanish National Bal- Helens, OR, which produces large, live-perfor- let and the English National Ballet. mance MOMIX STAFF General Manager JOHN FINEN HI Office Manager DAWN LeFEVER Ballet Mistress JOAN KUNSCH Ballet Master ALEXITCHERNICHOV