The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Parsons Dance Company returns to Seoul

By Claire Lee

Published : Nov. 20, 2012 - 19:53

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A scene from Parsons Dance Company’s performance (PRGATE) A scene from Parsons Dance Company’s performance (PRGATE)
American contemporary dance troupe Parsons Dance is back in Seoul this week, this time to perform two pieces of their signature repertoire ― “Remember Me” and “Caught.”

Founded in 1985, the New York-based troupe tours internationally in addition to its annual season in New York. They had a highly successful Seoul performance in May of last year.

“Caught” features more than 100 leaps in six minutes by a solo dancer who is repeatedly captured in mid-motion by the strobe lights, to create an illusion of flight.

It is also performing “Remember Me,” which is a full-length dance-theater work and rock-dance opera, featuring the troupe’s lead vocalists and music of the Grammy-nominated band, East Village Opera Company.

Korean-American singer Michael Lee, who recently joined the East Village Opera Company, will be playing the lead role for the Seoul show. Lee’s last visit to Seoul took place in 2006 when he played the American GI Chris in the Seoul run of the popular musical “Miss Saigon.”

Some of the songs he’ll be performing include Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and “What a Cold Little Hand” from Puccini’s “La Boheme.” All of the songs will be performed in rock music style, according to the show’s local PR agency.

Considered one of the most internationally renowned contemporary dance companies, Parsons Dance Company includes 10 full-time dancers and has more than 80 works choreographed by its founder David Parsons. The troupe has also collaborated with many other artists, including Donna Karan, Annie Leibovitz and Julie Taymor.

The show runs from Nov. 21 to 24 at LG Arts Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)