After a world tour, the BAM engagement, which runs through Sept. 26 in the Harvey Theater, marks the final presentation of the collaboration between Oscar winner Binoche ("The English Patient") and British choreographer Khan.
BAM press notes reveal "Performing a series of vignettes before a free-standing high wall of shifting colors, Khan and Binoche explore the intricacies of a love affair in all its glory and pain. In-I takes both artists in new directions: for Binoche, dancing on stage; and for Khan, acting for the first time since his childhood role in Peter Brook's Mahabharata."
Theatrical highlights of the Next Wave also include the eight-hour epic Lipsynch from Robert Lepage (Oct. 3-11 in the Harvey). According to BAM, the three-part work "spans 70 years and explores the voice as a compelling metaphor for human expression and interaction. The action journeys from war-torn Vienna and pre-revolutionary Nicaragua to contemporary London. Conjuring a panorama that connects nine lives through many decades, Lipsynch tracks a cluster of interwoven destinies where each voice searches for its own identity — from the precision of the dubbing studio to the world of voice forensics in criminal investigations. The narrative — co-authored by Lepage, Marie Gignac and the nine cast members — is structured in nine units, each focusing on a character from overlapping plots, ultimately connected in a moving climax."
Robert Wilson will present the U.S. premiere of Quartett, based on the Heiner Müller play, featuring Isabelle Huppert, Rachel Eberhart, Philippe Lehembre and Benoït Maréchal, with a score by Michael Galasso (Nov. 4-14 in the Harvey).
"Inspired by Choderlos de Laclos' novel 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses,' German playwright Heiner Müller’s (1929-1995) play Quartett is the basis for this visually stylized yet visceral production from director Robert Wilson. In this quintessentially Wilsonian war of the sexes, Müller's text (only 12 pages in the original) is expanded into a stately danced prologue and eight scenes featuring the director's signature spare, stunning tableaux, which turn every calculated movement into a gorgeous and provocative revelation of character," BAM press notes state. Next Wave events also include the nouveau cirque event from Cirkus Cirkör Inside Out (Nov. 12-15 in the Gilman Opera House); the Philip Glass opera Kepler (Nov. 18-21 in the Gilman); as well as BAM Café artists talks with Binoche and Khan (Sept. 17); Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and Robert Wilson (Nov. 1); and Tony nominated choreographer Karole Armitage (Nov. 6).
The BAM Next Wave Festival runs through Dec. 19. For tickets phone (718) 636-4100 or visit BAM.org.
