Fresno State’s University Theatre will present “This is NOT the Tony Bennett Concert,” a contemporary dance performance, from February 12 through 20 (excluding Feb. 15). Daily show times begin at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee, in the John Wright Theatre in the Speech Arts Building.
“This is NOT the Tony Bennett Concert” is a series of six works developed by The Contemporary Dance Ensemble with choreography by Fresno State theatre arts professors Kenneth Balint and Ruth Griffin, Fresno State student Makayla Davis and guest international dance artists and choreographers Anandha Ray and Michael Nikerson-Rossi.
The cast includes 10 Fresno State students and alumni, with majors ranging from pre-business and deaf education to theatre arts and dance.
“The concert presents diverse dance offerings that are entertaining and thought provoking through a dynamic interplay of different and seemingly contradictory elements placed together in surprising ways and indicative of the diverse and multi-disciplinary backgrounds of the ensemble,” said Balint, artistic director of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble.
The performance features three world premieres: “It’s Between the One and Two” by Nickerson-Rossi, “Pas de Trois Enneissong” by Balint and “The Others” by Davis. “The Others” is a Fresno State student-created work which will be presented at the American College Dance Association Conference in March.
“The members of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble strive to express an openness to one’s inner life, a preference to explore complexity and ambiguity in the world through movement, and a willingness to take risks,” Balint said.
Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for students. Group rates, as well as partial-season subscriptions are available. Box office hours are noon-4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance.
Parking is free for shows Friday through Sunday nights. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday, parking permits are required in parking lots on campus and can be acquired by calling the box office at 559.278.2216.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
