Nov. 20, 2007 — The imaginative world of MOMIX, a company of dancer-illusionists, will perform "Lunar Sea" at Reichhold Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Dec. 8.
"Lunar Sea," a two-part production, takes the audience on a journey from the depths of the ocean to the world beyond the moon, according to a news release from the Reichhold. In part one, "Sea of Tranquility" and two, "Bay of Seething," sea creatures from the deep-dark waters and alien-like forms from a world unknown spring to life. The female dancers (Heather Magee, Emily McArdle, Sarah Nachbauer, Rebecca Rasmussen and Jaime Verazin) are clothed in phosphorescent unitards, allowing them to glow and transform into various beings.
The men (Jonathan Eden, Michael Holdsworth, Rob Laqui, Roberto Olvera and Christopher Patterson) are dressed in black and serve as unseen props. The performers' costume creates a surreal effect where the dancers appear to float, fly or swim.
However, not everything that moves is human. Michael Curry, a puppet designer, created several props for "Lunar Sea." During the show, angel-like creatures float and bob about, creating the sense of a celestial place.
The soundtrack for "Lunar Sea" is as much a part of the experience as the dancing. Moses Pendleton, creator and artistic director, includes meditation-style music from the album Buddha Experience- Zen Trance, as well as music by movie composer Hans Zimmer.
The New York Times calls the production, "A joyous, fantastic, magical multimedia creation!"
MOMIX is known internationally for presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty, and has been celebrated for its ability to conjure up a world of surrealistic images using props, light, shadow, humor and the human body.
Pendleton, a Vermont native and former championship skier, first came to dance fame when he co-founded Pilobolus Dance Theatre in 1971. The company went on to win worldwide acclaim for its innovative blend of acrobatics and imagination.
Ten years later he founded MOMIX. The name came from Pendleton's solo performance at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, where he choreographed the closing ceremonies. MOMIX has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.
The Washington, Conn.-based company has had success telling stories about many aspects of human life. In the past decade, MOMIX's shows included scenes from the desert Southwest in "Opus Cactus," the joys of sporting in "Baseball" and the Peter Gabriel co-produced "Passion."
Reichhold will sponsor a free master class by "Lunar Sea" dancers at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Reichhold Center. The class is open to students from dance programs and the public. To attend call 693-1554.
MOMIX's performance of "Lunar Sea" at Reichhold Center is sponsored by First Bank, First Insurance, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort, the V.I. Council on the Arts and Innovative Cable TV.
Tickets are $20, $36 and $45. Tickets are available at Modern Music, UVI Bookstore, V.I. Bridal and Tuxedo, Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoe Boutique, Island Video (Nisky), Home Again (Red Hook) and the Reichhold Center box office at 693-1559.
