Canadian Stage Presents Hofesh Shechter's Dance Spectacle POLITICAL MOTHER, Oct 24-28

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Hofesh Shechter's electrifying dance and rock spectacle, Political Mother, stops in Toronto for six performances as part of an international tour that has captivated audiences around the world. Presented by Canadian Stage and performed by Hofesh Shechter Company, this dance-performance-meets-rock-concert is a full-throttle, immersive experience that has taken the dance world by storm.

Political Mother will be on stage from Wednesday, October 24 to Sunday, October 28 (opening and media night: October 24) at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front St. E). Tickets from $24 to $99 are available by phone at 416.368.3110, online at www.canadianstage.com, or in person at the box office.

"To finally share the brilliance of Hofesh Shechter's choreography with Toronto audiences is very exciting for Canadian Stage," said Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director. "Our mandate is to present the most groundbreaking and powerful productions from Canada and around the world. Political Mother exemplifies this in a storm of dynamic and beautiful dance moments combined with live rock music and electrifying lighting. This show is one of the most sumptuous visual presentations - and at the same time - one of the most riveting and gripping emotional experiences that I've had in a long time."

Shechter, who choreographed and composed this "howling beast of a dance show" in 2010, draws on his training and career as a musician and dancer to create both the music and movement for his work. For Political Mother he assembled a band of seven musicians, including guitarists and percussionists to bring a big sound to the stage, inviting audiences to ride an emotional roller coaster that confuses one's values and challenges perceptions of what is "normal".

The ensemble features 12 dancers from Hofesh Shechter Company and includes Maëva Berthelot, Chien-Ming Chang, Sam Coren, Frédéric Despierre, Karima El Amrani, James Finnemore, Bruno Karim Guilloré, Yeji Kim, Kim Kohlmann, Philip Hulford, Erion Kruja and Hannah Shepherd. The score, composed by Shechter, was created in collaboration with Nell Catchpole and Yaron Engler. The dancers are accompanied on stage by a live metal rock band alongside a group of military drummers.

Canadian Stage has also partnered with Dancemakers to offer a special workshop for professional dancers and choreographers. Taught by company rehearsal director and performer Bruno Karim Guilloré, the workshop will run at Dancemakers (9 Trinity St., Toronto) on Thursday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The exclusive, 15 participant workshop also includes the option of including a ticket to the 8 p.m. performance of Political Mother on Saturday, October 27. Prior to the performance, there will also be a free, pre-show chat with Shechter beginning at 7:15 p.m.

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