The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will present “Virago-Man Dem” by choreographer Cynthia Oliver Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Colwell Playhouse.
It is the latest work from Oliver, a Bessie Award-winning professor of dance and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research in the Humanities, Arts, and Related Fields at Illinois. The dance explores the cultures particular to Caribbean and African-American men and male-identified folk using movement, spoken word and original music from Bessie Award-winning composer Jason Finkelman, a staff member at the center and Oliver’s husband. Performers include Duane Cyrus (a Bessie Award-nominee for this production), Jonathan Gonzalez, Ni’Ja Whitson and Niall Noel Jones.
The production features visual design by Illinois alumnus and former faculty member John Jenningsand graphic design by Stacey Robinson, a professor of graphic design at Illinois, along with Illinois Theatre’s projections designer John Boesche, costume design by Susan Beckerand lighting design by Amanda Ringger.
This performance coincides with Dance at Illinois’ yearlong 50th anniversary celebration: Dancing 50: MovingForward/Looking Back.
Tickets are $25 for the public; $20 for seniors; $15 for non-U. of I. college students; and $10 for U. of I. and youth students. They may be purchased at KrannertCenter.com, by calling 217-333-6280 or in-person at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana.
Read Arts and Humanities Editor Jodi Heckel’s story about the performance published earlier this year.
