For anyone in Boston this coming weekend, I highly recommend checking out Paradise Lost's Lost in Time, combining dance and physical theatre in a debut solo production that promises to be fresh and unexpected. With works that look at the company’s past, present, and global future, Lost in Time gives its 14 actors, performers, and dancers a chance to embrace nostalgia, comedy, and social justice.
Below is an interview with its director (and a dear arts colleague of mine) Tyler Catanella. Enjoy!
1) Who came up with this fantastic idea of past, present and future? What do you feel you're saying to your audience?
The theme of passing time came up repeatedly in the rehearsal room, and then my production team and I had the eventual brain-baby to configure the show in the format of acts representing the past, present and future of our company. Since our work gravitates towards telling real human stories, we wanted to tell the real story of the growth of Paradise Lost. From its original days in dark college rehearsal studios to its eventual future in spaces like the Multicultural Arts Center we perform in this weekend, we have come a long way! We couldn't be more proud of where we come from, where we are now, and where we are headed.
2) What has been the biggest challenge of producing the company's first solo show? And the biggest thrill?
Our biggest struggle has been keeping the spirit of collaboration and theatrical improvisation while packaging a clean, replicable product that we can efficiently deliver to audiences. But as we have discovered in re-setting and creating work for our inaugural season, this is a fight worth fighting. Lost in Time perfectly represents that struggle and moves our material forward. Seeing all of the new work come to life in unexpected ways has been the greatest thrill.
3) What is the one thing you hope audience members take away from Lost in Time?
We hope that audiences leave feeing like they now have the power to be the person they want to be. Dance should not be limited to the people who can perform the coolest tricks, or turn three times more than everyone else—dance is for everyone! To translate that to life means to realize: You are enough. This is the final message of the show, and I hope that people leave the theatre carrying that truth with themselves.
Paradise Lost: Lost in Time
March 13, 8 p.m.; March 14, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Multicultural Arts Center
Cambridge, MA
Below is an interview with its director (and a dear arts colleague of mine) Tyler Catanella. Enjoy!
1) Who came up with this fantastic idea of past, present and future? What do you feel you're saying to your audience?
The theme of passing time came up repeatedly in the rehearsal room, and then my production team and I had the eventual brain-baby to configure the show in the format of acts representing the past, present and future of our company. Since our work gravitates towards telling real human stories, we wanted to tell the real story of the growth of Paradise Lost. From its original days in dark college rehearsal studios to its eventual future in spaces like the Multicultural Arts Center we perform in this weekend, we have come a long way! We couldn't be more proud of where we come from, where we are now, and where we are headed.
2) What has been the biggest challenge of producing the company's first solo show? And the biggest thrill?
Our biggest struggle has been keeping the spirit of collaboration and theatrical improvisation while packaging a clean, replicable product that we can efficiently deliver to audiences. But as we have discovered in re-setting and creating work for our inaugural season, this is a fight worth fighting. Lost in Time perfectly represents that struggle and moves our material forward. Seeing all of the new work come to life in unexpected ways has been the greatest thrill.
3) What is the one thing you hope audience members take away from Lost in Time?
We hope that audiences leave feeing like they now have the power to be the person they want to be. Dance should not be limited to the people who can perform the coolest tricks, or turn three times more than everyone else—dance is for everyone! To translate that to life means to realize: You are enough. This is the final message of the show, and I hope that people leave the theatre carrying that truth with themselves.
March 13, 8 p.m.; March 14, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Multicultural Arts Center
Cambridge, MA
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