Auditorium Theatre 2021-2022, Issue 1

8 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE :: 2021–22 SEASON ACT 2 Pasion Oculta (Hidden Passion) This flamenco contemporary work, set on five couples of Ensemble Español Company dancers by artistic director Irma Suárez Ruiz, portrays the hidden passions of love and desire. Ruiz has set this sensual new work to two songs by the all-female electronic string quartet, Escala: “Requiem for a Tower” and “Palladio.” Choreographer and Costume Designer: Irma Suárez Ruiz Music: Escala | Costume Production: Luz Creations Lighting Design: Dustin Derry Dancers: Jose Torres, Olivia Serrano, Monica Saucedo, Juan Carlos Castellon, Amanda Saucedo, Frida Medina, Luis Beltran, Jonathan Pacheco, Samantha Micklewright, Matt Jalac Entre Dos Almas/Between Two Souls (Alegrias) This work, inspired by the songs of the seaport of Cadiz, was last performed at the outdoor presentation of the American Spanish Dance and Music Festival this past June at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Before that it had not been performed since the company’s 35 th anniversary in 2011. This work has also been performed on tour in the Midwest, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Poland. Choreography & Dancers (1998): Irma Suárez Ruiz & Jorge Pérez Singers: Paco Fonta, Flamenco Singer and Guitarist; Jose Moreno, Singer, Guitarist, and Percussionist; Javier Saume-Mazzei, Percussionist Ritmo de la Tierra/Rhythm of the Earth (Martinete) (World Premiere) Choreography: Nino de los Reyes Singer: Jose Moreno, Singer, Guitarist, and Percussionist Lighting Design: Dustin Derry Dancers: Company Flamenco Bulerias (Musical Interlude) Musicians: Paco Fonta, Flamenco Singer and Guitarist; David Chiriboga, Flamenco Guitarist; Jose Moreno, Singer, Guitarist, and Percussionist; Javier Saume-Mazzei, Percussionist Al Golpe (Jaleos) (World Premiere) Choreography: Nino de los Reyes Hybrid Assistant Choreography Production: Wendy Clinard Singers: Paco Fonta, Flamenco Singer and Guitarist; Jose Moreno, Singer, Guitarist, and Percussionist; David Chiriboga, Guitarist; Javier Saume-Mazzei, Percussionist Lo Que Los Ojos No Ven “What the Eyes Don’t See” (World Premiere) Choreographer & Dancer: Nino de los Reyes Singers: Paco Fonta, Flamenco Singer and Guitarist; Jose Moreno, Singer, Guitarist, and Percussionist; David Chiriboga, Guitarist; Javier Saume-Mazzei, Percussionist Boléro Since its creation, Ensemble Español’s Boléro has graced some of the greatest landmark theaters in the world to well over one million audience members and been featured in two documentaries; Dance for Life: 20 th Anniversary Documentary in 2010 (winner of two Emmy awards for best documentary and best director — Scott Silberstein of HMS Media) and Sobre Las Olas del Mar: A Story of Flamenco in the U.S. 2013 by director Carolina Loyola Garcia. Dame Libby’s Boléro has also been featured on the BBC, on public television, on WGN Radio with Dean Richards, and television and international media in China, Puerto Rico, and Poland. Theatre performances include Chicago’s Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium in 1993–95 and 1997–98; Skyline Stage at Navy Pier in 1996; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in 1999, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2018; the Auditorium Theatre in 2002–2005; the Harris Theater for Ensemble’s 30 th anniversary in 2006; Dance for Life in 2010; and Global Rhythms in 2011. Internationally Dame Libby’s Boléro has been performed in Puerto Rico, Poland, China and in the U.S. for the St. Louis Dance Festival in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015 to a roaring record breaking 12 standing ovation curtain calls. The Ensemble also presented Boléro on August 22 and 24, 2013 in a Chicago historic double header at the Auditorium Theatre and on the Pritzker Pavillion stage in Millennium Park as part of the Chicago Dancing Festival. Boléro made its Spanish debut on August 20, 2016 at the Teatro Tomas y Valiente in the city of Fuenlabrada and on August 24 at the Teatro Marquina in Madrid in honor of the company’s 40 th anniversary. The New York Times called Dame Libby’s Boléro “amazing” and said the piece “wowed the audience” in 2017 at the sold-out Joyce Theater in Manhattan, NY, with audience members standing and shouting, “Encore, encore.” Choreographer (1993): Dame Libby Komaiko Music: Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) Boléro (1928) Inspirational Back Story: Drawings & Paintings of Pablo Picasso (Barcelona, 1881–1973) Costume Designers: Dame Libby Komaiko, Paco Alonso Original costume production: Paco Alonso Costume re-design addition for the special 20 th Anniversary in 2013: Freddie Rocha Lighting Design: Michael Mix | Dancers: Company This work when created was dedicated to the memory of Irving B. Dobkin, long-time officer of the Board of Directors and friend of the Ensemble Español. The creation of Boléro was made possible in part by the Cherry Family Foundation. ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER & CENTER The Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater is the premier Spanish dance company and center in the United States to have in-residence status at at a university (Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago). The Ensemble Español preserves, presents, and promotes four styles of Spanish dance: flamenco, folkloric, escuela bolera and classical. Founded in 1975 by Dame Libby Komaiko, and incorporated in 1976, the organization is now under the dynamic leadership of Irma Suárez Ruiz, artistic director and Jorge Pérez, executive director. The company is comprised of 40 dancers, singers, and musicians representing a mosaic of cultures from around the world. In the 2017–19 seasons the Ensemble worked with over 30,000 Chicago grade and high school students. As Chicago’s international cultural treasure, the Ensemble appears in a broad range of television, opera, film, and symphonic formats, including with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Ensemble has appeared in many major theatre and universities in Chicago and Illinois, including the landmark legendary Auditorium Theatre, North Shore Center, Harris Theater, and Symphony Space, to mention a few. The Ensemble has appeared throughout the United States, the Midwest, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Canada, and on four continents in the countries of Mexico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, China, and Spain. THE COMPANY DAME LIBBY KOMAIKO Founder (June 30, 1949– February 2, 2019) IRMA SUÁREZ RUIZ Artistic Director JORGE PÉREZ Executive and Associate Artistic Director