Ryerson Theatre School

Ryerson Theatre School presents

Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie in

Living Dances - An evening of three Canadian classic works
by legendary choreographer James Kudelka

ONE NIGHT ONLY! NOVEMBER 12

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Ryerson Theatre School proudly presents the acclaimed Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie (CLC) in Living Dances, an evening of three master dance works by the legendary Canadian choreographer James Kudelka for ONE NIGHT ONLY - Saturday, November 12 - at Ryerson Theatre. The program then tours out east to Fredericton (Nov. 16) and Halifax (Nov. 18) and returns to Ontario with a stop in Burlington (Nov. 29).

James Kudelka is acknowledged internationally as the leading Canadian choreographer of his generation, known for his mastery of both classical ballet and modern/contemporary dance. After nine distinguished years as artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada (1996-2005), Kudelka continues to undertake projects that engage and challenge him as a choreographer and has been the resident choreographer for CLC since 2008.

In this program for Ryerson Theatre School, three of his greatest works are performed for a new generation to experience these classics of Canadian dance: Fifteen Heterosexual Duets (1991), Soudain l'hiver dernier (1987) and In Paradisum (1983).

CLC has toured this program throughout the world. Audiences in China, Mongolia, Brazil, and the west coast of North America have seen it. This is the first time in Toronto that all three pieces have been presented in the same evening - an evening that is a tribute to both Kudelka as a choreographer and to Ryerson Theatre School, who have been at the forefront of training the next generation of theatre and dance artists for 40 years.

Dedicated to Kudelka's father, Fifteen Heterosexual Duets was originally performed by Toronto Dance Theatre. Set to Ludwig van Beethoven's, Sonata No.9 in A, Opus 47 Kreutzer (commonly known as the Kreutzer Sonata), this gorgeous, dazzling work is performed by Rhonda Baker, Ryan Boorne, Valerie Calam, Michael Caldwell, Lauren EM Chin, Luke Garwood, Tyler Gledhill, Jones Henry, Laurence Lemieux, Daniel McArthur and Christianne Ullmark.

Soudain l'hiver dernier, a remarkable and poignant duet for two men reflecting the human condition, was recently seen as part of Art of Time Ensemble's I Send You This Cadmium Red in a co-presentation with Canadian Stage where it received unanimous rave reviews ("power and vulnerability come together" - Globe and Mail). Set to Gavin Bryars' haunting Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet, it is performed by Michael Sean Marye and Andrew Giday.

Created originally for Montreal's Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, In Paradisum was adapted for Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie in 2007. It is quintessential Kudelka, showcasing his trademark demanding, fast-paced intricate movement patterns coupled with natural emotional power. Set to music by the late Canadian composer Michael J. Baker, it is dedicated to the memory of both Baker's and Kudelka's mothers and focuses on the dignity of death and the attitudes people assume when they attempt to cope with dying. It is performed by Ryan Boorne, Laurence Lemieux and Andrew Giday along with Valerie Calam, Lauren EM Chin, Luke Garwood, Tyler Gledhill, Jones Henry and Christianne Ullmark.

"Powerful sculptural images crystallize amidst an incessant flux of simple but compelling movements: sudden leaps, whirls, off-balance swayings, stylized gestures of grief, pleading compassion."  - Penelope Doob, Dance in Canada

Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, led by husband and wife Bill Coleman and Laurence Lemieux, creates, produces and presents performance works on a local, national and international scale. The company is recognized as one of the most dynamic forces in Canadian dance, thanks to the scope of its social and artistic vision and the accomplishments of its founders.

The company is currently in the process of renovating an old Salvation Army building in the Regent Park area of Toronto that will soon open as The Citadel, a home for Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie  and The YogaBeat, as its Brick by Brick fundraising campaign continues. Visit www.colemanlemieux.com and/or www.citadeltoronto.com for more information.

Ryerson Theatre School proudly presents Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie in Living Dances - An evening of three Canadian classic works by James Kudelka

*ONE NIGHT ONLY! SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12 at 8PM*

Performed by Rhonda Baker, Ryan Boorne, Valerie Calam, Michael Caldwell, Lauren EM Chin, Luke Garwood, Andrew Giday, Tyler Gledhill, Jones Henry, Laurence Lemieux, Daniel McArthur Michael Sean Marye, Christianne Ullmark

Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard St. East, Toronto

Tickets (including HST): $35 ($20 for students & seniors)

Tickets are available in advance by calling 416 364 8011 or at the door or purchase tickets online

Info at www.colemanlemieux.com

How to Succeed: A Musical Tribute to Des McAnuff

Join us for a Tribute Concert to honour Des McAnuff, Broadway's Canadian visionary director and Tony winner and 2011 honorary doctorate of Ryerson University.

Performers include stars from Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Jesus Christ Superstar, Josh Young, Paul Nolan, Chilina Kennedy, and stars from the Canadian cast of Jersey Boys with music from Des's greatest productions including How to Succeed in Business, Tommy, Dracula, Jersey Boys and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Gala tickets at $150 include concert and champagne reception with the stars after the show. Funds will go to the Des McAnuff Scholarship awards at the Ryerson Theatre School. A tax receipt for a portion will be issued after the concert.

Gala tickets for Ryerson faculty and staff will be available from the University Advancement office by contacting Shoaib Ahmed at 416-979-5000 ext. 2883 s35ahmed@ryerson.ca

A limited number of upper balcony seats are available on line for $50.00 (performance only). https://tickets.rcmusic.ca/public/hall.asp