John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
09/23/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2022 10:29
Kennedy Center presents Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
presents
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Cheng Tsung-lung, Artistic Director
In
13 Tongues
World-renowned company returns with work inspired by Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-lung's childhood memories of Taipei's oldest district and tales of the legendary 1960s artist and storyteller, "Thirteen Tongues"
October 20-22, 2022 in the Eisenhower Theater
(WASHINGTON)-Hailed as "Asia's leading contemporary dance theater" (The Times UK), Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns to the Kennedy Center, last seen in 2016, with an acclaimed production by its new artistic director Cheng Tsung-lung, October 20-22 in the Eisenhower Theater.
As a child in the 1980s, Cheng would contribute to the family business by helping his father sell slippers on the streets of Bangka, Taipei's oldest district, which was known for its vibrantly diverse and bustling street scene that embraced religious and secular life, rich and poor, work and play, and legal and illegal activities. He became mesmerized by his mother's accounts of 1960s street artist and storyteller "Thirteen Tongues" who had adopted Bangka for his informal stage. It was said that "Thirteen Tongues" could conjure up all the Bangka characters-high and low born, sacred and profane, men and women-in vivid, dramatic, and fluently imaginative narratives.
It is with those memories that Cheng merges the sights, sounds, and vitality of the city with his mother's stories for a work that takes the audience on an immersive journey. With a soundscape by Lim Giong that fuses Taiwanese folk songs, Japanese nakashi tunes, and electronic music, dancers perform against projections of vibrant colors moving in grounded positions while traveling in serpentine patterns.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, founded in 1973 by revered choreographer Lin Hwai-min as the first contemporary dance company in any Chinese-speaking community, blends its roots in Asian mythology, folklore, and aesthetics with a modern sensibility. In 2020, Cheng Tsung-lung succeeded Lin as the company's artistic director bringing together his creative works with traditional roots and innovative perspectives from the digital and globalized world.
For further information about the company, please see here.
For the most updated Kennedy Center health and safety guidelines, please see here.
Performance Schedule
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Cheng Tsung-lung, Artistic Director
Thursday, October 20-Saturday, October 22 at 8 p.m.
|
Choreography |
Cheng Tsung-lung |
|
Music |
Lim Giong |
|
Art Design |
Ho Chia-hsing |
|
Lighting Design |
Shen Po-hung |
|
Projection Design |
Ethan Wang |
|
Costume Design |
Lin Bing-hao |
|
Voice Coach |
Tsai Pao-chang |
|
Commission |
National Performing Arts Center - National Theater & Concert Hall, Taipei |
|
Premiere |
March 11, 2016 |
Funding Credits
The Presenting Sponsor of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: 13 Tongues is Mr. Fred Eychaner
For more information about the Kennedy Center, visit www.kennedy-center.org.
PRESS CONTACT
Brittany Laeger
(202) 416-8445
[email protected]
TICKETS & INFORMATION
(202) 467-4600; (800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org/