Stage Door News

Toronto: Peggy Baker dances to Arcade Fire in “Who We Are in the Dark” February 21-24

Monday, January 28, 2019

Peggy Baker, one of Canada’s most acclaimed contemporary dance artists, joins forces with members of Grammy Award-winning band Arcade Fire to create a daring fusion of dance, supercharged live indie rock music and cutting-edge visual art in the thrilling new dance creation, Who We Are in the Dark, on stage February 21-24, at the Bluma Appel Theatre. 

 Peggy Baker is an icon. The queen of contemporary Canadian dance, she is celebrated as one of the most outstanding and influential contemporary dancers of her generation. In an award-winning career spanning almost forty years, Baker, renowned for her profound artistry, physical acuity, and unique emotional strength, continues to create experimental, relevant, visionary work.

Who We Are in the Dark explores and illuminates the alluring darkness of the night: the creeping darkness of uncertainty and malice; the confounding darkness of bafflement, secrets, and the unknown; the dreadful darkness of cruelty, suffering, and grief; the comforting darkness of condolence and contemplation.

With a pulsating original score composed and performed live by violinist Sarah Neufeld and drummer Jeremy Gara, both members of the Grammy and Juno award-winning rock band Arcade Fire, inventive movement by seven extraordinary dancers, and sophisticated video projection, lighting and design elements, Who We Are in the Dark is a grand spectacle that probes the secrets that hide in the shadows. At once gripping, fragile, touching, chaotic, volatile, and calm, this collision of music and movement reveals the splendours and complexities of the human soul.

“We are honored to be premiering this monumental work by one of Canada’s greatest choreographers and are proud to be providing Peggy Baker with a platform for her to create at a scale that is deserving of her vision and talent,” says Canadian Stage Artistic Director Brendan Healy. The coming together of these major Canadian artists is electrifying. Who We Are in the Dark is brave, ambitious, and absolutely vital.

WHO WE ARE IN THE DARK

Concept, Choreographic Composition, Direction 

by Peggy Baker

Composition + Live Music by 

Jeremy Gara and Sara Neufeld of Arcade Fire

A Peggy Baker Dance Projects Production Presented by Canadian Stage in Collaboration with Fall for Dance North

Following the world premiere at Canadian Stage in Toronto, Peggy Baker Dance Projects will perform Who We Are in the Dark in Montreal, Hamilton, Banff, Whitehorse, Kingston and Ottawa.

Who We Are in the Dark is on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre, from February 21-24.  Performances run Thursday at 8 PM, Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 8 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM  

For tickets, visit: www.canadianstage.com.

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