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For Immediate Release
Contact: Tamar Fortgang, Interim Media Relations Rep.
661-253-7724
fortgang@muse.calarts.edu
Center for New Theater (CNT) at CalArts
Presents the World Premiere of
Peach Blossom Fan
April 9-April 24, 8:30 PM, REDCAT
View the event
Los Angeles, March 10 - The Center for New Theater (CNT) at CalArts presents the world premiere of Peach Blossom Fan, one of the most important 17th-century Chinese operas, re-imagined by Director Chen Shi-Zheng as a vital new expression for the 21st century world stage. With music composed by Stephin Merritt, Peach Blossom Fan is CNT's inaugural production at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT). The production defies cultural boundaries in a boldly poetic fusion of traditional Chinese movement, multi-media spectacle, and martial arts. This sweeping hybrid opera is based upon a story written in 1699 of tragic love between a poet and a courtesan in the waning days of the Ming dynasty.
Peach Blossom Fan was adapted by playwright Edward Mast during a two-year development process in collaboration with Chen and dramaturg Erik Ehn. Merritt, the force behind The Magnetic Fields (Pieces of April, 69 Love Songs), crafted music and lyrics. "The principle behind our production of Peach Blossom Fan is to evolve an ancient form," says Travis Preston, artistic director of CNT. "It's absolutely vital to have a dialogue between classic stories and new expressions."
Merritt has released seven albums by his band The Magnetic Fields, and two albums from The 6ths, all of them featuring extremely catchy songs. Merritt also creates music under the names Future Bible Heroes and The Gothic Archies. Merritt's first five Magnetic Fields albums placed him in the heart of the underground music community for nearly a decade. With his latest album 69 Love Songs, Merritt's work has garnered him mainstream success. Spin and Rolling Stone magazine, along with dozens of major national magazines and newspapers, hailed 69 Love Songs as one of the best albums of 1999. Merritt has gained official recognition as one of the country's best recent songwriters; the "Cole Porter of his generation".
Merritt was commissioned by The Center for New Theater, whose mission is to challenge and redefine the boundaries of contemporary theater. It is dedicated to producing work that cannot be created in other circumstances - either because of scale of vision or extremity of aesthetic. CNT focuses on projects with an international dimension, each representing a distinctive exploration of the theatrical form.
Peach Blossom Fan opens on April 9th and runs through April 24th, Tuesdays thru Sundays, at Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex, 631 W. Second St. in Los Angeles. Performances begin at 8:30pm. Tickets ($38, $36, $34) can be purchased by calling 213-237-2800 or by clicking here. Special discounts for CalArts alumni and students are available.
REDCAT - the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater - is CalArts' new performance venue and gallery in Walt Disney Concert Hall, located at the corner of 2nd and Hope streets. For more information on events at REDCAT, call 213-237-2800.
Peach Blossom Fan was developed with support from the A.S.K./REDCAT Music-Theater Program, funded by The Skirball Foundation. Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the development and production of Peach Blossom Fan. The production is made possible through the generous support of an anonymous donor.
REDCAT inaugural season sponsors include Shamrock Holdings, KCRW FM, The L.A. Weekly, and The Standard Hotel, with additional media sponsorship provided by The Downtown News.
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