Month: March 2020

Welcome to During Intermission!

Bummed you can’t go out and experience the arts right now? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our new During Intermission blog series.

For the next few months, During Intermission will be dedicated to helping you get your arts fix as LC LIVE—The Lincoln Center’s presenting organization—gets ready for the next act! From Broadway to comedy to classical music and more, we’ve got something to keep you entertained until we announce our 20/21 Season!

Check out what’s new with During Intermission below and search for #DuringIntermission on Facebook and Twitter for more ways to experience the arts at home with us (@FoCoLincolnCtr)!

Chuckle, Giggle & Grin // During Intermission – Laugh Riot Series


No Stopping a Showstopper // During Intermission – Showstoppers Series


Without Dance, What’s the Pointe? // During Intermission – Dance Series


Imagination Station // During Intermission – Imagination Series


Don’t Strauss, Relax with this Liszt // During Intermission – Classical Convergence Series


Come Explore With Us // During Intermission – National Geographic Live Series


Fringe Fun // During Intermission – Anything Goes Series

During Intermission // Chuckle, Giggle & Grin

Need some comic relief? We’ve got all the laughs you need here during intermission.

Our During Intermission blog series is dedicated to helping you get your arts fix as LC LIVE gets ready for the next act! Whether you love the sketch comedy that we present or all the amazing stand-up we bring to Fort Collins, we’ve got something to keep you entertained until we announce our hilarious 20/21 Laugh Riot series! Enjoy!

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From Tig Notaro to Paula Poundstone, we know you enjoy stand-up! Get more laughs with Comedy Central Stand-Up!

 

For those of you who love our Showstoppers series as much as you love Laugh Riot,  you’ll enjoy SNL taking on Broadway with “Save Broadway“!

 

Already worked your way through all the Comedy Central stand-ups? We’ve got more to make you giggle with  The 57 Best Netflix Stand-Up Comedy Specials.

 

Can’t make a decision? Let iHeartRadio make it easy for you with their streaming comedy channel.

 

If you want something new every week, why not try the 25 Best Comedy Podcasts of 2020 so Far to Make You LOL?

 

And finally! Catch up on some TV with the 40 Greatest Sketch-Comedy TV Shows of All Time!

 

Want more? Search for #DuringIntermission on Facebook and Twitter for posts from @FoCoLincolnCtr!

Welcome to the Jungle

Travel from the urban jungle to the jungles of India through eye-popping video, shadow play and original music with Jungle Book on April 4 at The Lincoln Center. Audiences will see beloved characters like Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and everyone’s favorite human cub, Mowgli, come to life in a fresh new way in this immersive theatre experience.

Co-creative directors of Jungle Book, Craig Francis and Rick Miller, have taken a unique approach to this classic that we all know and love by setting it in a modern setting. The story is reimagined for a new generation that tackles many issues in society, while still holding true to the original storyline.

Adapted from the original works of Rudyard Kipling, Miller and Francis have formulated a creative twist that addresses our endangered natural world and our relationship with it. This production feels cinematic but also incorporates classic theatre aspects.

“Audiences will have moments of ‘How did they do that?’ and feel like they are watching a movie but it’s a live experience,” says Francis.

The use of various theatre techniques in this production helps it feel more personal to the audience. Francis and Miller embody meta theatre, a form of art that includes the actors interacting with the audience.

“With meta theatre, we can create a sense of urgency and that you need to hear this story,” says Francis. “This makes it feel more authentic and young people connect with that better. By doing this, the narrator makes us feel safe.”

Another important theatrical aspect of the production is shadow play. With it, they can create a life-size representation of the jungle with only a few people.

“With only four actors, using shadows allows for more play, and the light and dark aspect in the show relates to all of us in one way or another,” says Francis. “The production manipulates lights, shadows and fabric to create different environments, whether they are natural, unnatural or theatrical. This way, we can create a jungle full of life while only using a few performers.”

“We wanted the people to feel—even in a stylized way—that they’re actually being transported to the different parts of the jungle and different parts within the book without having a leaf or a tree on the stage,” Miller said.

While most people have seen or at least heard of the classic version of the Jungle Book, fewer people know about Mowgli leaving the jungle. In this adaptation, Francis and Miller bring in facets of Second Jungle Book to compose a more complete story that ties in new details that most people aren’t aware of.

“So even those who think they know the Jungle Book will find some surprises on tap,” says Miller. “The whole family will enjoy every minute of it.”

Get lost in the jungle on a wild adventure in this inventive and timely take on the beloved classic—Jungle Book—on April 4 at The Lincoln Center. All seats $15 at LCtix.com.

Passionate Poetry with a Musical Mashup

Ever wonder what would happen if classical genius Bach and jazz master Coltrane met? Passion for Bach and Coltrane explores their story through an innovative blend of music and poetry on March 12 at The Lincoln Center.

“I have long desired to set poetry to music and was particularly drawn to the works of A.B. Spellman because of his strong references to both jazz and classical music as well as the question of faith,” says Jeff Scott, composer of Passion for Bach and Coltrane and member of Imani Winds.

In A.B. Spellman’s book of poems, “Thing I Must Have Known”, he speaks to the musical mastery of Johan Sebastian Bach and John Coltrane, relating the themes with religion and mortality.

“Passion for Bach and Coltrane explores the influence of spirituality on the art of these masters and asks the inevitable question, ‘What if J.S. Bach and John Coltrane might chance to meet?’,” says Scott. “It challenges the performer and listener to be comfortable with the seemingly polar opposites of the musical spectrum presented as equals.”

In doing this, Scott creates a new kind of Passion, a form of music that dates back to the 4th century that tells the story of the gospels through song. Bach had actually written several in his life, but only two survived.

“Though the work is original, it is anchored by this poetry with reference to two significant works by Bach and Coltrane, “The Goldberg Variations” and “A Love Supreme”,” says Scott. “Here the premise of the Passion is explored rather than the actual Biblical accounts. Orated poems in lieu of the intoned Gospel. Bach, Coltrane, Rubalcaba and Spellman in lieu of the traditional Biblical characters.”

With complex themes and a flair for composing pieces incorporating instruments not typically found in traditional jazz or classical settings, Scott knew Passion for Bach and Coltrane would require musicians that could handle a variety of styles.

“I knew that I was going to need, if not the exact people who are in the project, people with similar skills, and those skills are not very common,” says Scott. “Music conservatories are not known for teaching Mozart and John Coltrane at the same time.”

This seven-movement work is composed for wind quintet, string quartet, piano, double bass, percussion and orator, and is performed by some of the most well-known musicians in the industry.

Celebrating 20 years of music-making, the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and the evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming and imaginative collaborations.

Joining the wind quintet are additional jazz musicians as well as critically-acclaimed Harlem Quartet. Praised for its “panache” and “bringing a new attitude to classical music,” the New York-based Harlem Quartet is known for its diverse programming that combines standard string quartet canon with jazz, Latin and contemporary works.

Though audience members may be drawn to the performance to specifically hear the Imani Winds, Harlem Quartet or A.B. Spellman perform, Scott finds that the name of the work also inspires a musically diverse audience to attend.

“It’s called a Passion so you know you’re in for a long evening event, but you don’t know how it’s going to unfold because there’s nothing like it,” says Scott. “The average listener comes in knowing they’re going to hear something about Bach and something about Coltrane, but I think how the evening unfolds and uses the most beautiful music ever written by Bach and Coltrane will exceed expectations.”

“The average concert-goer that goes to hear Bach oratorios probably doesn’t also hang out in jazz clubs,” says Scott. “Consequently, your average person who goes to jazz clubs probably doesn’t go to too many Bach oratorios, so the combination challenges audiences to listen to music that not only celebrates both of these artists but is also a mix of the two sounds. It is this juxtaposition and fusion of styles that finds the audience’s musical senses being met on all extremes.”

Experience the interwoven melodies of these classical and jazz legends with Passion for Bach and Coltrane on March 12 at The Lincoln Center. Seats from $15 at LCtix.com.

Bending Reality and Infusing Culture

Hailing from Japan, enra (intentionally spelled without capitalization) will put on a show like you’ve never seen before on March 22 at The Lincoln Center. This performance, which is also the first of enra’s US tour, will deliver a multi-sensory experience that involves precise timing and movement, combined with breathtaking effects that seem to bend space, time, and reality.

That’s what makes enra’s craft different from other arts performances. “Instead of only being dance, or only being video, the core essence of the performance is that it is composed of both these elements,” says Kazunori Ishide, Lead Performer of enra. The performers and the imagery on-screen are in tune with one another, creating a whole new piece of art.

From a myriad of dance styles to rhythm gymnastics, juggling and Chinese Martial Arts, every number is in harmony with their different skill sets. “I think enra’s strength is that all of our performers have a variety of skills and talents,” says Ishide.

With the different styles of dance and video imagery, there is one thread that runs through each of enra’s performances: there is always an element of Japanese culture infused into every piece, making it a truly unique experience for Western audiences.

For pieces like LIQUID, it’s very easy to see the influence of Japanese culture in enra’s work. The black calligraphic brush strokes on a stark white background, coupled with the simplistic, yet complex physical movements harkens to the enso. The enso is a simple circle created with a single brushstroke, which expresses a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.

And what enra creates is truly breathtaking.

Though a piece may not seem obviously Japanese, Ishide says that elements of ma (negative space) and wabisabi (transience) permeate their work. Wabisabi is a Japanese concept that is derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering, and lack of self. It manifests in Japanese culture as a world-view centered around the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

“Of course, we are influenced by anime, films and lots of video mediums, but we are also inspired by the whole world such as a city landscape or nature,” says Ishide.

It’s these connections that make a unique backdrop for enra to perform their art. Whether they’re navigating an underwater temple or becoming stars in the sky, there is always a sense of interconnection between wabisabi and the modern world in their work.

For those who have seen enra before, they will be excited to hear that enra will be performing pieces never before performed in the United States, as well as fan-favorites.

 “When the beauty of the imagery and the jaw-dropping talent of the performers mix, it is astonishing,” says Ishide. “Everyone will be impressed!”

Experience this mesmerizing display of multi-media performance art and culture with enra at The Lincoln Center on March 22. Seats from $15 at LCtix.com.

A Green Partnership Lights Up The Lincoln Center

Do you love seeing the twinkling lights during the holidays at The Lincoln Center? They’re all thanks to SavATree!

The Lincoln Center was one of the first performance venues in the nation to hold a LEED Gold certification, which stands as a global symbol of our sustainability achievement and leadership. “Here at The Lincoln Center, we are committed to being green. That makes working with SavATree was a natural partnership,” says Jack Rogers, Director of The Lincoln Center.

SavATree’s environmentally sensitive approach to tree and lawn services, along with their willingness to adopt LED lighting technologies, make them great partners to share in The Lincoln Centers’ commitment to sustainability.

SavATree starts from the ground up, ensuring that every one of their arborists and field specialists are trained in sustainability. SavATree was also an early adopter of low impact, organic strategies for lawn and plant nutrition, and have been on the front lines in the battle against invasive insects. Beyond that, they work to lessen their carbon footprint by using electric equipment and utilizing specialized GPS technology that creates the most efficient routes for their vehicles.

For more on their philosophy and approach, please visit SavATree’s website at www.savatree.com/cornerstones-of-sustainability.html.