"Traces" puts amazing circus feats in human perspective
By John Wenzel The Denver Post, 03/11/2011
"Traces" opts for a more personal approach over the grand spectacle of many nouveau-circus productions. (Bradley Henderson, provided by Denver Center Attractions )Virtuoso displays of physical discipline have become commonplace on stage these days, thanks to the world-class theatrics of Cirque du Soleil and its greasepaint-smeared brethren.
But has this proliferation of pole-jumping, back-flipping, pretzel-limbed performers made us numb to the truly amazing nature of their exploits?
Are all these big-budget, nouveau-circus extravaganzas now just wallpaper for our work conferences in Las Vegas?
If so, "Traces" may be the antidote. The Montreal-based show, which runs today through May 14 at the Stage Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, closes the gap between audience and performer by injecting visceral notes into the gravity-defying spectacle.
"We're about doing it at the human scale and feeling like the performers on stage are very definite human beings," said Shana Carroll, co-director and choreographer for "Traces." "When you can identify with them, you're more moved when you watch them do these incredible feats. You see them as people with flaws and strengths and everything."
"Traces" takes a much different approach to acrobatic entertainment than most of the fussy, costumed cavalcades marching out of Montreal. It introduces its seven performers by name and allows them to tell real stories from their pasts between the hoop-diving, balancing acts, streetwise dancing and musical numbers.
Read more: "Traces" puts amazing circus feats in human perspective - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_17576018#ixzz1GIB8hED1
But has this proliferation of pole-jumping, back-flipping, pretzel-limbed performers made us numb to the truly amazing nature of their exploits?
Are all these big-budget, nouveau-circus extravaganzas now just wallpaper for our work conferences in Las Vegas?
If so, "Traces" may be the antidote. The Montreal-based show, which runs today through May 14 at the Stage Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, closes the gap between audience and performer by injecting visceral notes into the gravity-defying spectacle.
"We're about doing it at the human scale and feeling like the performers on stage are very definite human beings," said Shana Carroll, co-director and choreographer for "Traces." "When you can identify with them, you're more moved when you watch them do these incredible feats. You see them as people with flaws and strengths and everything."
"Traces" takes a much different approach to acrobatic entertainment than most of the fussy, costumed cavalcades marching out of Montreal. It introduces its seven performers by name and allows them to tell real stories from their pasts between the hoop-diving, balancing acts, streetwise dancing and musical numbers.
Read more: "Traces" puts amazing circus feats in human perspective - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_17576018#ixzz1GIB8hED1
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