FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shapiro & Smith Dance Brings the Dance "Divas" of the Twin Cities Together in Tableau Vivant

MINNEAPOLIS - Exploring wildness and beauty with a group of ten Twin Cities' "divas" of dance, Shapiro & Smith Dance will present "Tableau Vivant" April 2-4, 2015 at The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts.

Tableau vivant was a popular theatrical form in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Women figured largely into this practice as they posed on floats in small town parades depicting historical or allegorical scenes. Tableaux vivants acted as agents for women to explore new identities during the fight for women's suffrage. Many scenes were controversial for their display of female nudity and often wavered between artistry and indecency. Instead of holding poses, the tableaux vivants depicted by Shapiro & Smith Dance will yank these scenes right off the 4th of July float and into the intimacy of the human experience.

Five female Company members will be joined by Susanne Costello, Judith Howard, Mary Moore Easter, Zoe Sealy and Erin Thompson. The work will look at iconic female relationships with Scott Killian's original score and Brian Sostek's humorous and poignant text.

In addition to "Tableau Vivant," the Company will also premiere "Ravel x3", a visually lush interpretation of three works by Maurice Ravel. The choreography will be driven by the music, providing an excitingly intricate and sensual performance danced by the full company.

SHOW TIMES

April 2-4, 2015

Thur-Sat at 8:00 PM

TICKETS

$30 (fees inclusive)

Group sales: a 20% discount is available for groups of 10 or more

BOX OFFICE

Tuesday-Friday, 11 AM - 5 PM; Saturday & Sunday, 2 hours prior to performances

Phone: 612-206-3600

Online: http://www.thecowlescenter.org

In person: 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403