The Stephen Petronio Company was founded in 1984 by choreographer Stephen Petronio to showcase and celebrate dance, as well as to provide a platform for broader and more diverse voices in art. The dance company is teaming up with New York’s famous experimental dance center, La MaMa, to premiere Petronio’s Punk Picks and Other Delights from November 18-21, 2021.
The show revives a series of iconic solos and duets from Petronio’s formative days in the East Village, featuring collaborations from the ’80s and ’90s. The program includes solos from Full Half Wrong (1993), Stephen’s version of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, with costumes by Leigh Bowery, and Love Me Tender (1993) set to Elvis Presley, among many others. Other pieces in the show were inspired by various provocative artists throughout modern history, including The Stranglers, Yoko Ono, Suede, Thom York, Anonhi and Rufus Wainwright, and more.
Stephen Petrino is excited to launch his new show at the storied La MaMa theater, stating, “Growing up in the East Village, La MaMa was a foundational part of my artistic journey. It is a fitting place to mark our return to the stage. These revivals, reconstructions, and reimaginings are bringing us back together.”
One of the show’s programs even invites guest choreographer, Johnnie Cruise Mercer, who was nominated for a Bessie award for ‘Outstanding Breakout Choreographer, to take the reins. Mercer is an up-and-coming force in the performance space and will be showcasing the World Premiere of his latest work, and then we hit the boundary where the sun’s wind ceases… It’s set to be a breathtaking performance by one of New York’s hottest creators.
See below for full program details:
and then we hit the boundary where the sun’s wind ceased… (World Premiere)
Choreographic Direction/Performance by Johnnie Cruise Mercer, Creative/Video Direction by Torian Ugworji, and Sound Design/Composition by Monstah Black
Full Half Wrong (1993) – two excerpts
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: “Le Sacre Du Printemps” by Igor Stravinsky (Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)
Costume: Leigh Bowery; Lighting Designer: Ken Tabachnick
No More Heroes (1995)
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Commission Partner: Walker Arts Center
Music: ‘No More Heroes’ by The Stranglers; Costume Design: Manolo; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Sleeping Pills (1996)
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: ‘Sleeping Pills’ by The London Suede; Costume Design: Manolo; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
For Today I Am A Boy (2008) – excerpt
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Commission Partner: Dancers Responding to Aids
Music: ‘For Today I Am A Boy’ by Anohni; Costume Design: Tara Subkoff/Imitation of Christ; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Pre-Weep (2011) – excerpt from Underland
Concept and Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: Nick Cave, Courtesy of EMI Music, Film & TV and Mute Song Ltd, Music Producer: Tony Cohen
Soundscape: Paul Healy; Costume Design: Tara Subkoff/Imitation of Christ; Visual and Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Are You Lonesome Tonight (2020/2021) – (Stage Premiere)
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Commission Partner: Dancers Responding to Aids
Music: “Are You Lonesome Tonight” performed by Elvis Presley (BMG, 1960), composed by Lou Handman and Roy Turk
Costume Design: H. Petal; Lighting Design: Joe Doran
Love Me Tender (1993/2021) – excerpt from The King Is Dead
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: ‘Love Me Tender’ by Elvis Presley, Vera Matson, and Ken Darby/Hill & Range Publishing
Costume Design: H. Petal; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Bud Suite (2006) – two excerpts
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: ‘Vibrate’ by Rufus Wainwright (Published by Put Tit on Music/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP))
Music: ‘This Love Affair’ by Rufus Wainwright (Published by Put Tit on Music/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Costumes: H. Petal; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Creep (2007) – excerpt
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: ‘Creep’ by Radiohead
Costume Design: Benjamin Cho; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
She Says (1993) – excerpt
Choreography: Stephen Petronio
Music: ‘Telephone Piece’ (1971) and ‘Woman Power’ (1973) by Yoko Ono
Costume Design: Manolo; Lighting Design: Ken Tabachnick
Dancers: Larissa Asebedo, Kris Lee, Jaqlin Medlock, Tess Montoya, Tiffany Ogburn, Ryan Pliss, Nicholas Sciscione, Mac Twining
For tickets and more information, click here.
