October 10, 2008

Jane Comfort dance company to probe moral, political issues

The evening-long dance/theater piece explores moral and political paralysis in the face of torture alongside the nation's addiction to reality TV shows. The program is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its Catalyst series, and it contains strong language and themes.

In the piece, a U.S. citizen is detained, interrogated and tortured in a secret prison. Meanwhile, the American public stays glued to their televisions, obsessing over models, pop stars and fashion queens. The performance, which is based on a true incident when one of the dancers' family members was detained, uses a remote control as a theatrical device. Using integrated text, movement and extended vocal techniques, the seven-member company flips from reality, which can be hard to watch, to reality show, as they offer up savage parodies of many popular shows.

At 6 p.m. in the Stewart Center Gallery, choreographer Jane Comfort will discuss her artistic and conceptual motivations, and the genesis of "An American Rendition."

Jane Comfort and Company has performed for dance and theater audiences throughout the United States, Europe and Latin America since 1982. In "An American Rendition," projected images by visual artist Steve Miller of guns, designer bags, shoes, broken bones, flowers and jewelry conjure TV glitz as well as the detainee's collapsing psychic state. The score, by composer Joan La Barbara, incorporates karaoke versions of pop songs. Costumes are by Liz Prince.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $19 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available by calling Elliott Hall of Music and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets.  Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at (765) 496-1977.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Abby Eddy, (765) 494-5045, aeeddy@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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