In this exclusive Canadian engagement, the internationally celebrated Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch performs Danzón in the NAC’s Southam Hall on November 25 and 26, 2011.

Choreographed by the late avant-garde icon Pina Bausch, Danzón explores the trajectory of life, at its best and worst, from carefree childhood through playful sexual awakening, from the inevitable transitions to adulthood and death.

Considered one of the most significant choreographers of our time, Bausch was appointed director of dance for the Wuppertal theatres in 1973 where she pioneered the evolution of dance theatre. In her early years with the company, the mixture of dance and theatre was wholly unfamiliar. In her performances the players did not merely dance; they spoke, sang – and sometimes they cried or laughed too. For Bausch it was about generating authentic, psychologically raw experiences: exhilarating or sorrowful, gentle or confrontational, comic or absurd. This hybrid genre of “tanztheater” or dance theatre, succeeded in establishing itself as unique, inspiring choreographers throughout the world and influencing theatre and classical ballet as well. For thirty-six years Pina Bausch shaped the work of the Tanztheater Wuppertal, until her death in 2009, and created an immense body of work that revolutionized the world of dance. Bausch has left an indelible mark on the artistic world and an extraordinary legacy as one of the most significant choreographers of the 20^th century.

Choreographed by Bausch in 1995, Danzón, named for the lively and passionate Cuban dance form, is a funny, theatrical, and bittersweet meditation on humanity's trek through 20th-century life. Filled with Bausch's trademark blend of movement, speech, song, and astonishing visual images, Danzón is a refreshingly upbeat and highly entertaining romp through the distinct stages of life.

Danzón features a solo originally performed by Bausch herself, her first since Café Muller in 1978.  This beautiful scene backed by video projection of colourful fish in an underwater world is fittingly performed by a young male dancer, Aleš ?u?ek – one of the last additions to the company under Pina’s direction.

In the company’s first visit back to Canada since the passing of its dynamic leader, this NAC presentation of Danzón is a poignant tribute to the inimitable giant of modern dance that is Pina Bausch.

"[Pina Bausch] - the undisputed Queen of European dance theater."

The Times, London

“To say Ms. Bausch is concerned here only with life and death is too simple...The true subject is the trek through life itself.”
The New York Times

Danzón
Director and Choreographer: Pina Bausch
Set Design and Video: Peter Pabst
Costume Design: Marion Cito
Musical Collaboration: Matthias Burkert
Collaboration: Marion Cito, Jan Minarik
Rehearsal Directors: Michael Strecker, Dominique Mercy, Robert Sturm

With: Regina Advento, Andrey Berezin, Aleš ?u?ek, Silvia Farias Heredia, Mechthild Großmann, Barbara Kaufmann, Daphnis Kokkinos, Dominique Mercy, Pascal Merighi, Cristiana Morganti, Fernando Suels Mendoza, Aida Vainieri

Duration: 1 hour and 43 minutes, no intermission

Please note: there is a scene that includes nudity in this performance.

Thank you to our hotel partner The Lord Elgin and media partner Radio Canada for their support.

Ancillary Events PINA 3D A film for Pina Bausch by Wim Wenders Ottawa Premiere Tuesday, November 22, 7:30pm Empire Rideau Presented in collaboration with the National Arts Centre, the Goethe-Institut and Mongrel Media GOETHE-INSTITUT PRESENTS: HOMAGE TO PINA BAUSCH 2 film events at Saint Paul University, 223 Main Street, Ottawa FREE (First come, first served.) Friday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. - Café Müller + Le Sacre du Printemps Friday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Dancing Dreams - Teenagers perform Kontakthof by Pina Bausch

Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch performs Danzón in Southam Hall on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.00, $59.50, $70.50 and $81.00 for adults and $26.00, $31.25, $36.75 and $42.00 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

This production is eligible for the Trinity Live Rush program. Full-time students aged 13-29 with a valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Trinity Live Rush program.

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For more information, please call:
Eleri Evans
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 379; e-mail: eleri.evans@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca