“The First Day”: Groundbreaking dance premieres in Bozeman
Published: April 23, 2010
(Photo by Rab Cummings)
A groundbreaking collaboration between multi-platinum music producer Patrick Leonard and the Montana Ballet Company (MBC) premieres at 7 p.m. May 14 at the Emerson Cultural Center’s Crawford Theater in Bozeman.
“The First Day,” an original contemporary multimedia ballet, combines the talents of the Grammy-nominated Leonard, famous for his longtime partnerships with such rock luminaries as Madonna, Elton John, Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson, with Bozeman’s own Emmy Award-winning student filmmaker Jennifer Grace and MBC’s co-artistic director Amy Stoddart.
The piece, written by Leonard’s daughter, Jessica, weaves a tale of human tragedy and triumph in the compelling portrayal of a woman imprisoned in solitary confinement, who learns the date of her execution, yet is so cut off from the world she no longer knows the present date. The ballet, set to Leonard’s evocative soundscape, is a journey through the course of a single day in the woman’s life – a day that dramatically transforms the way she views her existence.
Leonard’s musical score, stylistically reminiscent of Pink Floyd, features an emotive, solo female vocal. Stoddart’s innovative and introspective approach to contemporary ballet is expressed through MBC’s principal dancer Caitlin Ross, and Jennifer Grace’s multimedia projections deepen the visual intensity of the piece.
Following the dance performance, Leonard and Bozeman vocalist Jeni Fleming will take the audience on a multi-sensory journey through the legendary producer’s musical career, including a unique rendition of Pink Floyd’s seminal album, Dark Side of the Moon.
In addition, PBS producer Charles Dye has partnered with Montana PBS and Terry Beaubois of Montana State University’s Creative Research Lab to create a "behind-the-scenes" film capturing the multidisciplinary collaboration that goes into developing a world-class multimedia ballet in Bozeman.
According to Stoddart, Bozeman provides the perfect cultural palette for fresh creative collaboration. “The opportunity to work with world-class artists outside of New York or Los Angeles allows us the freedom to push boundaries and delve more deeply into our art, creating work that is unhampered by urban pop culture expectations,” she says.
Leonard, who, in 2008, became the first American to play at Kensington Palace, concurs. “I’m thrilled to be working with so many gifted and dedicated people,” he says. “The opportunity to create a new piece of work in such a vibrant and exciting place is a gift any composer would love.”
Leonard, who sits on the board of directors for the Martha Graham Company, met Jennifer Grace while she was working with the Jim Henson Company as part of the Emmy Foundation’s mentorship program. Grace, a former professional snowboarder, is completing her MFA at Montana State University’s Science and Natural History Filmmaking department.
Leonard’s cousin, Charles Leonard, has created a minimalist inspired set and original illustrations. Lighting designer is Tom Watson, a professor in the MSU School of Film and Photography and designer for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.
Following the concert, audience members will have the opportunity to meet shows creative team. Proceeds go toward the production of two additional original contemporary works that build upon “The First Day’s” theme of social justice and self-awareness.
Tickets are $20-$45 and seating is reserved; call 406-585-9774 or order online at www.bozemansymphony.org. For more information, call 406-582-8702 or visit www.thefirstday.info.
