Aerial Allusions: A Ladder To Nowhere (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Diánna Martin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:14:32 +0000

Performance art pieces, in general, can be thrilling to behold, whether they break new ground, or simply retrace the steps made by others in new and innovative (or deeply personal and fascinating) ways. The idea of combining dance, theatre, and clown with music to portray emotional journeys and the struggle of gender roles sounds so exciting! And it could be…if Aerial Allusions was a different show.

From the moment Jaz Morneau began his opening monologue/stream of consciousness (I wasn’t sure if it was improvised or written) I was worried. His diatribe on the world at large was better set for an Occupy New York symposium for 20-somethings than an art piece on gender dynamics. What followed was a brief, entertaining moment of dance work by Azana, and it seemed that perhaps it was moving along toward something with burlesque overtones – which would have been enjoyable. In fact, most of the moments when Azana danced solo were interesting to watch, and it might have been much better production overall. Unfortunately the piece tries so hard to make a statement about the human condition and our lack of empathy for the opposite sex, that it gets in its own way via monologues/streams of consciousness that are uninteresting and without passion behind them. It ends up coming off as a pretentious piece that is a shadow of what talent Azana seems to have in her movement (as shown by the tormented dance scene that she has after being beaten, which was actually quite lovely). The rest of the production, outside of the above mentioned scene, simply mimicked the first half, with the gender roles reversed.

I wanted very much to like this show, and I know the performers were dancing their hearts out. For that I give them credit. It is the presentation of the piece, which was strangely dispassionate for dance performance art, cobbled together with the illusion that what they have said is somehow enlightening, that I question.

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Aerial Allusions

Company: AGAWA SAPPHIRE

By Azana Productions

Mar 03, 2:30PM

$15.00

The Kraine Theater

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Aerial Allusions: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:07:51 +0000

Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

Aerial Allusions

AGAWA SAPPHIRE
By Azana Productions

A journey looking into the perspective of humanity through feminine/masculine viewpoints using traditional/non-traditional movement; combining Dance, Clown and Theatre to express the emotions of two individuals. Think, Cry, Laugh, Intrigued and Entertained by the observations these introspective minds!

Show Times:

Wed 2/22 @10:30pm
Sat 2/25 @ 1:00pm
Sun 2/26 @ 5:30pm
Tue 2/28 @ 7:30pm
Wed 2/29 @ 6:00pm
Sat 3/3 @ 2:30pm

Answers by Azana

(Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Azana: It’s an insinuation that I’m an airhead, aerialist and air-sign. It alludes to lofty ideals but also quirky action. It suggests slightly more than acting, but confirms nothing. It’s as vaugly expressive as I am.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?
Azana: They will all be there; grandmother, mother, stepsister, childhood friend and ex-lover. The bringing together of all facets of my life, those who were and are close. Different parts merging together to experience the expression of my perspective.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Azana: Absolutely everything. Security, safety, sanity, family. Free health care. Life on the beach. It better be worth it.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Azana: Urr, umm crazy emotional depths that require attention. all sorts of stuff… I do not have the stamina of a teenager.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Azana: I would hope entertainment, introspection and speculation. I want people to marvel, at the world, at themselves, at what they have just seen.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

Azana: Paper.

And you challenge?

Azana: The Canuck Cabaret.

Oh, Azana, how expressive and illusive of you to pick a show that’s not actually eligible for the RPS Tournament! Not that we don’t love The Canuck Cabaret - we absolutely do! They just aren’t playing in the Tournament this time around. SOOOOOO … you have to face the music and go to the Randomizer for your randomly chosen opponent. Here we go! Flippity Flip … it lands on … Musical Pawns who threw SCISSORS. Oooof! That’s a direct HIT and one strike in the Tournament of Deaaaaath! Let’s see if you can pull it out with your next round …

Round two is Love in the time of Chlamydia who challenged everyone and threw ROCK. That’s a WIN!

Round three is Initium/Finis who also challenged everyone and threw ROCK … another WIN!

Congratulations, Azana – you won 2 out of 3 rounds and made it through to dance another day. We salute you.

Thanks Aerial Allusions for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges. You may win, you may not – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out Aerial Allusions!

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Aerial Allusions
Company: AGAWA SAPPHIRE
By Azana Productions

Feb 22, 10:30PM
Feb 25, 1:00PM
Feb 26, 5:30PM
Feb 28, 7:30PM
Feb 29, 6:00PM
Mar 03, 2:30PM
$15.00

The Kraine Theater

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