Izumi Ashizawa Performance
Tokyo, Japan, and Tampa, Florida
Gilgamesh
Created by Izumi Ashizawa
"Gilgamesh is a powerful epic story combined with the visionary choreography of Izumi Ashizawa. Add to that multi-talented dancer/actors who show an incredible amount of spiritual dedication to the performance and a set which functions as a separate character, and you have an evening of transformational theatre"--- Brand TampaThe performance is based upon a translation of an ancient text initially codified in the archaic language of inscrutable cuneiform symbols. Director Izumi Ashizawa creates her own expressive codes to convey the complexities of the narrative poem in a dynamic dramatic performance. She uses techniques from the traditional Noh and Kabuki theatre and suzuki techniques that require extreme discipline and physical control. She uses intense movement and puppetry, demanding precision and focus. The scenic design, movement, masks and puppets bring an aspect of ritual to the communal performance. The result is an original approach, an innovative theatrical interpretation of the ancient story.
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CAST |
Izumi Ashizawa, Patrick Bolger, Ashley Enfinger, Jason Glass, Nicholas Horan, Dan Lipsman, Rachel Nolan, Vanessa Nolan, Brent Reams, Claudia Rosales, Daniel Rosenstrauch, Vanessa Taylor |
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WEB SITE |
www.izumiashizawa.com |
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ART FORM |
Theater, Dance, Puppetry, Music, Mask
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RATING |
G - General Audiences: All Ages Admitted |
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WARNINGS |
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DURATION |
60 min. |
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SCHEDULE |
Tue Aug 18 - 9:30 PM Wed Aug 19 - 5:00 PM Thu Aug 20 - 9:30 PM Fri Aug 21 - 5:00 PM
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VENUE
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CU Museum of Natural History
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TICKETS
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$15/10 (Ticket Deals: Aug 18 - 2-for-1 special)
Buy Tickets!
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Rate It!
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Average Rating:
Good -
4.62 Stars!
Alejandra
5
Stars!
Trish
5
Stars!
I saw this show in Tampa. It is fantastic.
Tim
5
Stars!
one of the most incredible nights Ive ever spent at the theatre! so guttural and moving! A MUST SEE!!
Nate
5
Stars!
beautiful performance!
Ellen
5
Stars!
Outstanding performance. Saw it in Tampa. Original and refreshing.
Barbara Phillips
5
Stars!
A Moving Performance! Utterly Enthralling
Shaniqua
5
Stars!
I saw this show in Tampa, Florida! It was amazing! I swear I got chills when they chanted. This is a must see show. The performers are all equally talented and give an incredible energy that I have never witnessed on stage before. Their bodies contort and tell a story. The actor that plays Gilgamesh is fantastic, he leaves you breathless. The chanting voices are chilling and add the perfect soundtrack to the actions on stage. I highly recommend you experience this piece of art that will leave y
5
Stars!
Terese Greeley
5
Stars!
I couldnt take my eyes off the stage! I was completely blown away!!!
Blake
5
Stars!
Outstanding energy and dedication from every actor. Very deep.
Greg
5
Stars!
A+!!!!!!!
1
Stars!
As much as I was looking forward to liking this production, this show was horrible and pretentious. For all the effort put in by the performers, the elaborate props and makeup, no story was told. This had none of the gripping power I would expect from theater using Noh and Suziki techniques. It was a very, very long hour.
cb
1
Stars!
This show must have been better in Tampa. For me the most interesting part was when someone passed out in the back row. It was the most difficult show to sit through that Ive seen of the five Ive attended this fringe. Gagamesh... seriously. Gagamesh.
Kari Stemm-Wolf
5
Stars!
Gilgamesh was by far the most astonishing and captivating cultural event I have ever attended. Beautiful use of costuming, body movement, voice, imagination. My brother and I were transfixed. Amazing.
Korkut Onaran
5
Stars!
Exceptional combination of good acting, expressive make-up/masks, creative costumes, strong choreography, and music that is strangely archaic but at the same time very contemporary. Dont miss this one. But be ready for some frustration about the venue: crammed, airless basement with constant background noise -- I suggest to have the whole show upstairs.
4
Stars!
The storytelling could use some work so that its easier to understand for those of us not used to interpreting these things, but it was worth going to see the elaborate costumes, movement, & the vocal work. The venue made it a little uncomfortable but I still enjoyed the show a lot.
Mary Bee
5
Stars!
5
Stars!
I just liked this show!
5
Stars!
Saw this performance tonight. Astonishing skills of acting. Gorgeous costume and props. Beautiful singing.
Mary Bee
3
Stars!
This is a visual treat costumes, masks and set combined with amazing movement/motion, voice and sound.
However, the overall feel is very angsty and the story was lost a bit in the theater.
Definitely not for kids under 12. Story is too oblique and the images could be scary.
5
Stars!
S.C.
5
Stars!
wow...
Margarita
5
Stars!
Incredible show! The form, the aestetic, the style, the actors! Thank you for bringing such a great show to Boulder!
Jordan Welsh
5
Stars!
I think the reviews speak for themselves...incredible. SEE THIS SHOW!
Robert Blush
5
Stars!
BY FAR the best show that Ive ever seen at the Boulder Fringe! The form in this production is exact, perhaps unusual for American tastes, but phenomenal in its execution. This is a production which we can only understand by opening all of our senses to its expressive nature.
The Costumes, Set, and acting combine to give us profound perspective on the way we live our lives - Gilgameshs exploits provide a terrific metaphor to the rat-race we often find ourselves in.
Unfortunately, the seati
5
Stars!
Great show. Very strong aesthetic and a style taken all the way.
5
Stars!
Gabrielle
5
Stars!
Simply excellent ... and anything but simple. An impressive integration of Sumerian myth, Kabuki and Noh influences, sonic theater, mask, puppetry, make up, costumes and set design. Intense, captivating, memorable. See it! Hear it! Experience it! Liked the venue -- first time in that building.
Gabrielle
5
Stars!
Oops ... liked the venue, but it was terribly airless in the basement ... and the buzz of t he amp was distracting. Choreography was also evocative. One of the best Fringe shows in all the years Ive attended.
5
Stars!
Gabrielle Bershen
4
Stars!
Some beautiful parts.
Sandra
5
Stars!
This was fabulous - creative, powerful, confusing and captivating at the same time. Vocally evocative and visually intriguing in its use of costumes, props and movement, and in Gilgameshs expressive face. The performers gamely adapted to the space-- I loved the fossil surroundings at the beginning, and the way the building itself evoked the age of Victorian explorers-- but the cramped and airless venue does not do this show justice, nor the audience any favors.
5
Stars!
5
Stars!
finely honed, fantastically costumed, a heart and soul offering
5
Stars!
Archer
5
Stars!
A truly transporting experience, especially in the intimate surroundings of the Natural History Museum. Izumi Ashizawa has created a piece that really takes both the players and the audience on a true journey into the mythic. Thank you for giving us the chance to be a part of a first class theatre experience.
5
Stars!
Karie
5
Stars!
Absolutely fabulous!
dana c.
2
Stars!
why were they YELLING when the audience was two feet away?
Bill
5
Stars!
5
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5
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2
Stars!
5
Stars!
Glad to see this powerful show
5
Stars!
5
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Very very impressive.
5
Stars!
5
Stars!