Contributing Writer Ellen Angelico-
Part circus, part street performance, part performance art, "Traces" is an acrobatic performance featuring seven very talented (and very good looking, I might add) young artists from around the globe. It lacks a linear narrative, but I never found myself wishing for one. When an explosive stunt is over, the artists share with the audience personal anecdotes, bits of songs, or poetry, and then barrel on ahead to the next high-flying, death-defying feat.
I was on the edge of my seat as the artists used skateboards, giant seesaws, tall poles, long ropes, and each other to launch themselves high into the air or above the audience. Only one stunt didn’t land in the evening, and the artists simply redid the stunt perfectly, without missing a beat. Speaking of the beat, it is provided throughout by Radiohead, VAST, and several other modern rock/hip-hop acts to great effect. The gritty music is a lovely backdrop to the unconventional circus happening on stage.
As if all this wasn’t reason enough to go see it, it’s also funny. The artists poke fun at each other’s personalities and quirks. Even their accents - much of the cast being native French speakers - are not off limits, and the jokes got everyone in the audience laughing. The humor is good-natured and gentle, and offers a break from the intense beauty of the acrobatics.
"Traces" is only in Nashville until February 24, 2013. Tickets start as low as $15 for the balcony seats and get pretty pricey when you get down to the orchestra section. I watched the show from the Grand Tier and had a fantastic time. If you can swing it, the show is well worth it and will definitely motivate you to go to the gym if nothing else. I highly recommend it and hope I can catch it again soon.
_______________
Contributing Writer Linda Brewer
With sprinkles of humor and not a trace of fear, the artists of "Traces", featuring Creative Direction by 7 Fingers (Les 7 Doigts de la Main) and direction and choreography by Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider, put on a show of unimaginable feats of speed, balance and synchronization last night at Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Traces, playing at TPAC through February 24, is most definitely not a circus, and though it is reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil in its artistry, it is its own genre with the distinctly alternative personality of a street performance.
“This hit production features seven artists performing a variety of abilities, including music, song, dance, and heart-stopping acrobatics, so it’s the perfect fit for TPAC and our passion for inspiring artistic expression,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC president and chief executive officer. “Traces will captivate and exhilarate you with its infectious blend of high-energy cirque and engaging artists.”
Set in what looks like a warehouse in a post-apocalyptic world, seven unique individuals go to incredible extremes to spend what may be their last moments on Earth making sure their lives won't be prematurely snuffed out without leaving a trace of themselves behind.
Imagine the chaos of seven acrobats rolling, jumping, flying, springing and bounding over, around and all but through one another, all in the confines of a stage, while lights are strobing and horns are blaring, as if in the middle of New York City during the busiest time. Add to this an overhead projector, piano, an easy chair and a microphone that flies down from the rafters at opportune moments and you have a heart-pounding, pulse-racing show of simple and poetic but emotionally gigantic proportions.
Click here to read the rest of Linda Brewer's "Traces" review