September 6, 2023
MORE ROOM TO PLAY by David Morse is an innovative and groundbreaking new work that features a powerful combination of classical technique and modern storytelling. Set to John Adam’s captivating orchestral work “Fearful Symmetries,“ this world-premiere ballet promises to be a harmonious fusion of melody and movement.
Originally conceived during the early months of the pandemic, Morse leveraged the power of site-specific choreography around Cincinnati and filmmaking to create a dance film that transcended the constraints of quarantine. Now, this mesmerizing production is finally getting its stage premiere at the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre of Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati from September 15th to 24th.
With Cincinnati Ballet’s Kaplan New Works coming back this season, and MORE ROOM TO PLAY being the title piece of the series; Morse’s task has been to translate the energy and essence of the original dance film into a compelling live theatrical experience.
Set to John Adams’ “Fearful Symmetries,” this mesmerizing performance boasts a symphony of keyboard sampler playing percussion sounds, two horns, and a bassoon. The music, true to its title, emanates almost maddeningly symmetrical harmonies, accompanied by an insistent chugging pulse. It drives the piece forward with a motoric, propulsive energy, engaging audiences and transporting them from one vast sound world to another.
David Morse’s vision for MORE ROOM TO PLAY has naturally evolved, moving beyond a pandemic solution into a truly unique theatrical happening. With the performance only eight days away, Cincinnati Ballet dancers and Morse have been rehearsing tirelessly, infusing the piece with a unique sense of character.
This extraordinary production, proudly presented at the Aronoff Center from September 15th to 24th, promises a sensory journey of constant motion, unfolding across a dynamic ballet landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness an incredible cultural event that will leave an indelible impression of movement and music.
SYNOPSIS:
“MORE ROOM TO PLAY” is a high-energy abstract contemporary dance piece that unfolds as a relentless, polychromatic, fever dream, where anything is possible, but everything is perilous. This captivating collision of whimsy, chaos, dreamy romance, and raw power sends the audience whirring on a journey across various dimensions where disparate characters collide in a whirlwind of neon-drenched obscurity. Each scene fragment delves deeper into a dream within a dream within a dream…
The different worlds within Adams’ score take the audience back and forth between enchanting dreamscapes and highly detailed propulsive pictures of urban animation.
Varied movement styles and speeds, from languid slow-motion to frenetic hyper-lapse, create a multi-dimensional experience that intertwines non-linear, episodic storytelling with evocative emotional imagery.
Ultimately the relentless energy fueling this vibrant realm might become the force that threatens its unraveling.
