Wonderbound’s Love Adds Romance Through Dance this Valentines Day Weekend

This Valentines Day, Wonderbound will be delighting audiences with Love, a production featuring live music, poetry and dance. Love will consist of two works by Wonderbound Artistic Director Garrett Ammon and a world premiere by Company Artist Sarah Tallman. The production will be accompanied by Confluence String Quartet and pianist Heidi Leathwood. The performance will open with "When The Power Goes Out,"which was the first of a series of intoxicating collaborations between Lighthouse Writers Workshop's Executive Director Michael J. Henry and Garrett Ammon. Created in 2009, the work is comprised of six poems by Henry that delve into the complexities of love through multiple relationships. "When the Power Goes Out" is set to the haunting nocturnes of Frédéric François Chopin which will be performed live by the extraordinary pianist Heidi Leathwood.

“I’m so pleased be able to see this ballet again, and to get to know these characters again—I’ve missed them! I’ve always marveled at the dancers’ ability to bring these characters to life, to make them real and beautiful and flawed all over again. Which seems perfectly appropriate for Valentine’s Day, a day where we celebrate love in all its myriad forms.” says poet and Lighthouse Writers Workshop Executive Director, Michael J. Henry.

The program will continue with a world premiere work, "Intimate Letters" by Company Artist Sarah Tallman. Choreographed to "String Quartet No. 2," "Intimate Letters" by composer Leoš Janáček. This will be Sarah’s eighth work created for Wonderbound, touching on themes from the tumultuous era of the 1920's.

"I am incredibly honored, and excited to begin work on this new creation with Confluence String Quartet, and the dance artists at Wonderbound.” says Tallman “I look forward to discovering and exploring the provocative era of the 1920's through the beautifully descriptive score that Janáček so meticulously created. I am especially interested in using the complicated theme of love to show the strength of women and their ability to change the future."

"For the Love of Pete" will close the performance. The ballet was choreographed by Ammon in 2010 to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Featuring music from The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, "For the Love of Pete" is a completely fresh and flirtatious take on the traditional scores. The title is a gentle nod to the composer himself, and the work is a delightfully raucous romp that encapsulates the deliciously sensual and mischievous sides of love.

“We have a long-standing tradition of exploring the baffling intricacy of love during Valentine’s Day,” says Ammon. “As Wonderbound, we are anxious to continue the venture in ever more vibrant ways. The musicianship and artistry of Confluence String Quartet and Heidi Leathwood will add a whole new layer to our investigations of this consuming emotion that we all happily fall victim to.”

Featuring poets, visual artists, live musicians and more, Wonderbound’s Season of Wonder will continue to bring exciting collaborations to audiences through April. As always, the public is encouraged to experience the performers, not only at the official shows throughout the season, but in their new rehearsal space in the heart of Denver. Visitors are asked to call to confirm rehearsal schedules.

Love will take place February 14-16 at the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School. Tickets are on sale now at wonderbound.com or by calling 303.292.4700.

For exclusive photo and interview opportunities with Garrett Ammon or Sarah Tallman as well as an invitation to observe Wonderbound in rehearsal, contact Amber Blais at 303.292.4700 or ablais@wonderbound.com

Download the full Love Press Release