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REDCAT Welcomes Indonesian Dance To Its Stage
Once again, REDCAT, the Roy and Edna Disney Cal Arts Theater nestled below Disney Hall, is bringing acclaimed dance/theater from the far reaches of the globe to its venerable stage. Part of a national tour coordinated by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Indonesian choreographer Ery Mefri and his company Nan Jombang will settle in for four performances of "Rantau Berbisik (Whisperings of Exile)" this week.
Danced by an ensemble made exclusively of members of the choreographer's family, promotional materials tell us that the movement drama "incorporates coiled bodies, exacting feats of balance and spellbinding control" and is accompanied by onstage "bursts of chanting, clapping and body percussion." Depicting a long-observed rite of passage for young men as they leave their native villages for the "wider world," the work is rooted in the spiritual and martial arts traditions of West Sumatra's Minangkabau ethnic minority, yet extends into contemporary dance vernacular, as well as current issues facing the region's people.
Reviews in international publications describe "Whisperings of Exile" as "mesmerizing, moving and profound..." and to have blown the audience away. Yeow! It's always eye-opening to see non-verbal theater from a distant and unfamiliar culture exploding on a local stage. The surprises can be disturbing, arresting, informative and beautiful simultaneously.
So, put on your travelin' shoes and head downtown for the hemispherical rotation. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights (8:30 p.m.) and Sunday matinee (3 p.m.). Buy tickets here.
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