Source: The Kitchen.
The Kitchen is pleased to present the world premiere of Quicksand, an opera-novel for music, dance, and light, composed from a novel of the same name by the late Robert Ashley. This work, divided into three acts of 16 scenes each, combines separate and “moveable” sequences of choreography by Steve Paxton, electric orchestra composed by Tom Hamilton, and light environments by David Moodey to present a unified work without a linear narrative structure.
Using Ashley’s signature blend of speech and song, Quicksand tells the story of a composer who has been coerced by a U.S. Government Agency (“the Company”) to serve as a low-level spy. Traveling with his wife to an unnamed South Asian country run by a military dictatorship, he becomes involved with plans to overthrow the government through his close friendship with two tour guides. With the assistance of four American mercenaries sent by “the Company,” the composer participates in the capture and imprisonment of the country’s leaders, and the destruction of the torture operation by which the dictatorship has maintained its power.
Music and Libretto by Robert Ashley
Orchestra composed by Tom Hamilton
Choreographed by Steve Paxton
Light Design by David Moodey
Performed by Steve Paxton, Maura Gahan and Jurij Konjar
Sound design and live mix by Tom HamiltonJanuary 28-30 and February 4-6, 7pm
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