Alessandra Corona Comes to Kirkland Arts Center with James Samson

ALESSANDRA CORONA PERFORMING WORKS with guest JAMES SAMSON presents the premieres of two dance/theater works:

"W2! (Women too!)" choreographed by Manuel Vignoulle "InnerActions" choreographed by Guido Tuveri

Friday & Saturday, December 7 & 8 at 8 PM Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center, 29 Jay Street, Brooklyn (F train to York station) Tickets: $25 Reservations: www.smarttix.com ; or 212.868.4444

Dancers: Alessandra Corona, Michael Bishop, Brian Castillo, James Johnson, Cassandra Orefice, Mavi VillaGuest Artist: James Samson Singer: Parris Lewis


Alessandra Corona presents her Performing Works in the premieres of two dance/theater works by choreographers Manuel Vignoulle, originally from Paris, and Guido Tuveri who, like Ms. Corona, is a native of Cagliari Italy. Special guest for the season is James Samson, former 17-year member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Performances December 7 & 8, 8 PM, at the Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center, 29 Jay Street in Brooklyn.

Alessandra Corona remains committed to presenting new multi-disciplinary works by exceptional young choreographers. Her recent seasons have presented premieres by Ramon Oller, Gino Landi, Guido Tuveri and Kristian Cellini. Corona herself will be remembered as a 12-year principal dancer with Ballet Hispanico, originating many roles in the company's repertory. Ann Reinking then selected Alessandra for a two-year tour in the international company of "Fosse."

By Manuel Vignoulle is "W2! (Women too!)", in which the choreographer explores the evolution of the male/female dynamic in history from a contemporary man's point of view. Through experiences of women from different periods and cultures, Vignoulle follows the transformation of women's status over time and how this has influenced men's behavior. The choreographer also refers to the corresponding changes in gender roles and how the boundaries between sexual identities have become more fluid.

Vignoulle has set the work to music by Giuseppe Torelli, Corelli, and Tchaikovsky, arranged by Thomas Lentakis. Singer Parris Lewis will appear, performing his poem that has inspired the work: "If your levees were to break How hard would our waters rage? No timid approach to things that are Not distant We are the same Even if you can only see Beauty personified." (Parris Lewis)

Manuel Vignoulle, French choreographer now based in New York, trained at The Conservatoire National Superieur de Danse de Paris, and performed with the Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve in Switzerland, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York, La La La Human Steps in Canada, Het Nationale Ballet in The Netherlands, the State Theatre in South Africa, and The Forsythe Company in Germany. His choreography has been commissioned by companies around the country, including Ailey II, 10 Hairy Legs, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and more.

Parris Lewis, New York singer/songwriter/poet, currently performs with The New York Choral Society and ColemanCollective. She is also a Teaching Artist for the Leadership Program and the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.
The evening's second premiere is "InnerActions," created and directed by Guido Tuveri, which the choreographer describes as a voyage of consciousness and an exploration of relationships without emotional barriers. The choreography, developed in collaboration with the dancers, will be punctuated by short video clips which will be projected randomly.

Guido Tuveri, from Cagliari Sardinia, has choreographed and directed numerous full evening productions for companies from the Cia de Camara in Costa Rica, to SKanes dans theater in Malmo Sweden, to the Balletto di Sardegna in Italy, where he was artistic director from 2008 to 2012. He returns to the Corona company following his successful and joyous "Just Joy," created for the company's 2016 season.