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Abrons Arts Center Opens THE MAGIC OF SPECTACULAR THEATER and WAGE Tonight, 9/18

Paris-based Gérald Kurdian returns with his new work, The Magic of Spectacular Theater — part of his ongoing THIS IS THE HELLO MONSTER! avant-folk music project — with stage design by Obie Award winner Philippe Quesne. Blending performance, pop music, and magical interludes, the piece whimsically explores two prevalent contemporary views of magic: the mystical practices of sorcerers and astrologers on the one hand, and the illusionism of the more conventional conjurer on the other.

The Magic of Spectacular Theater is presented as part of the French Institute Alliance Française's Crossing the Line 2012, of which Mr. Kurdian is an artist-in-residence. There will be a post-performance talkback with Mr. Kurdian following the Wednesday, September 19th performance.

Performances are at 8PM on September 18 and 19. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of performance. There are $10 student rush tickets available. For more information, visit www.abronsartscenter.org.

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Fitzgerald & Stapleton return to transform the Underground Theater into a shamanic space of solace and redemption in the world premiere of WAGE, — a performance dedicated to the memory of relationships that perished in its making and a tribute to those that survived. The Irish choreographers and dancers will flay you with the wild food of dreams, families, and the virgin Mary Byrne — to create a work that is the artists' metaphor for the resilience and ephemerality of life.

Amid a vast mass of concrete the dance is at first only a visitor emerging from the top of each staircase, a troll beneath a bridge writing letters to change a past as illusory as her imagined future – but by the end all will find oneness in the buoyant ejaculation – Why is this night different from every other night? My heart is ready.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics tell us that in 2010, women who worked full time in wage and salary jobs had median weekly earnings of $669. This represented 81 percent of men's median weekly earnings — $824. In respect of this, tickets are offered for female-identified audience members at a 19-percent discount.

WAGE features Áine Stapleton, Emma Fitzgerald, and Carl Harrison and runs from September 18 to September 23. Performances are at 8PM. Tickets are $12 for female-identified persons and $15 for male-identified persons. For more information visit www.abronsartscenter.org. NOTE: This show contains nudity.

WAGE is a co-production of the Abrons Arts Center and Project Arts Centre Dublin, and is generously supported by Culture Ireland.