Canadian Stage to Present Crystal Pite's THE TEMPEST REPLICA, 5/7-11

Award-winning choreographer Crystal Pite (Dark Matters, The You Show) returns to Toronto with her newest work, The Tempest Replica. Presented by Canadian Stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre for five performances only from May 7 to 11, Pite's critically acclaimed company Kidd Pivot transforms one of Shakespeare's final plays, The Tempest, into an innovative dance creation.

"In 2012, audiences were thrilled by Crystal Pite's breathtaking dance work Dark Matters," said Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic and General Director, Canadian Stage. "The Tempest Replica is yet another demonstration of her skill as a storyteller of rare distinction. Gorgeous choreography, stunning visuals, projection and an original score come together to create inventively theatrical dance and we are delighted to have one of the country's most gifted choreographers back at Canadian Stage.

Using the mastery and articulation of dance, The Tempest Replica is a game of revenge and forgiveness, where reality dances with imagination. Pite explores motifs from Shakespeare's The Tempest through two parallel worlds. Chalk-white replicas deliver the essential plot points of the story, while the emotion and tension of the narrative is fleshed out by real characters through fierce physical language.

"My hope for the viewer is that, armed with the plot points of a narrative, he or she is more deeply invested in the performance," said Pite. "The choreography becomes more than just a dance between two people - rather, it is imbued with a story we have all shared."

Lighting designer Robert Sondergaard cloaks Jay Gower Taylor's set in white light, while seven dancers move through shadows. Music composed by Pite's long-time collaborator Owen Belton and a film montage by Jamie Nesbitt round out a production that integrates stunning visuals, projection and an original score.

The Tempest Replica will be on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front St. E.). Performances run Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and a matinee on Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. A pre-show talk will be held on Friday, May 9 with Crystal Pite to discuss The Tempest Replica's themes and development process. A post-show talkback will be held on Saturday, May 10 where dancers from the performance will take questions from the audience. The performance is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets from $24 to $99 are available online, by phone at 416.368.3110 or in person at the box office.

For details visit www.canadianstage.com.