A passage from a poem by Walt Whitman sparked the inspiration for a new multi-media work, Ritual of the Body Electric. It incorporates a chamber ensemble, dancers, and video.
By Laura Spencer
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-763160.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The 30-minute work is loosely based on a section of Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" and expresses the emotion behind the loss of a parent and celebrates relationships.
Urban Culture Project presents
RITUAL OF THE BODY ELECTRIC
A Multimedia Music and Dance Work
Friday, September 5, 8 & 9:30pm
at la Esquina, 1000 West 25th, KCMO 64108
Ritual of the Body Electric
Composer William Lackey, artist Nate Fors, choreographer Jennifer Owen
The production features dancers: Chloe Abel, Jesse Cooper, Matthew Powell, Rebka Sakati, and Jennifer Tierney; and musicians: Dr. Rebecca Sherburn, soprano; Jonathan Borja, flute; Mary Ann Lucas, oboe ; Cheryl Melfi, clarinet; James Keel Williams, bassoon; Liz Dunning, horn; Chris Larios, trumpet; John J. Jenkins, trombone; Marja M. Kerney, percussion; Mark E. Lowry, percussion; Christopher Levin, piano; Kara Land, harp; Marvin Gruenbaum, violin; Christian A. Fatu, violin; Tim Eshing, viola; Mark Stauffer, cello; Kristin Shafel, bass. The conductor is Christopher Kelts. Mica Thomas is the lighting designer and Christopher Biggs is the technical coordinator.
Tickets are $10 at the door. Fifty percent of all proceeds will be donated to Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics Cancer Program. This work is dedicated to the memory of Kathryn Ann McCallum Lackey.
