Tonight’s show: “A rocking post-modern ode to breakup.”

A note from Philip Bither, performing arts curator:

Tonight and for the next three nights we present a joyous and anarchic dance-theater work called Back to the Present. Constanza Macras, an Argentine artist now based in Berlin, has assembled fearless, high-energy, absolutely infectious group of performers from all over the world and constructed a “ rocking post-modern ode to breakup.” If you like your performances brimming with life, juggling wild humor and pathos, unexpected and fresh, full of youthful, artful artlessness with a rock n roll heart, then you owe it to yourself to see this work.

I saw Back to the Present a few years back in Germany. I was immediately swept up by its crazy mix of satire, dance, video, black humor, explosive energy and youthful optimism amidst urban decay that erupted from the stage. I’ve been working to get the piece here ever since.

So, I was thrilled (and relieved) to get word a few days ago that last weekend’s New York performances were a smash success. You know the kind — people begging for tickets, lines out the door. The response from those lucky enough to get in was rapturous. John Rockwell of The New York Times mirrored my feelings about the work:

What distinguishes ‘Back to the Present’ aside from a particularly personable, sexy cast, is the manic good humor of the entire enterprise. The piece ends with a crazed free-for-all…It’s just exhilarating… But the (stuffed) animals and the props and the songs and, above all, the cast, which emerged more and more into strongly defined individual personalities, made the whole apparatus cohere. That, and nice self-satire. And, above all, the unstoppable charm…. ‘Back to the Present’ sees life there (in bohemian Berlin) among its young and lively through rose-colored glasses, and makes a convincing case for what it sees….Dance Theater Workshop was packed and erupted with cheers.

Last year, two of our season highlights were dance-theater projects from Europe (Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker and Meg Stuart). People are still talking about the power of those pieces. Others, alas, missed them and are still wishing they had been there. I am sure this weekend will be the same, and I just don’t want you or your friends to miss out.

We also just announced a special $10 Student Ticket – College or H.S. (note, the work contains some nudity). Order tickets now.