By Ernest Kearney — Stringmates by Amanda Noriko Newman takes it core concept from the Asian legend of the “Red String of Fate”; The belief that the gods bind two individuals who are destined to be together with an unbreakable red string that connects them no matter what distance separates them.
It is a lovely myth, and Newman employs it with a sense of whimsy and humanity that carries throughout the work.
Two women, Sarah Ruttan and Elyse Hamilton, find they are connected though neither are gay. Another man, Thomas Davis, finds he is connected to Plato’s Republic, and another man, Alexander Hurren, unable to bear the demands of being someone’s “perfect” match has his string removed, much to the distress of his yet unmet match, Cassidy Davis.
Directed by Mahealani Leofa Stringmates is a dance piece with interludes of narrative skits, and the show both moves well and is moving.
But the piece does work best when functioning purely in the language of dance. There is the story of an older couple, Angel Ramsdell and William Clayton that uses no dialogue and is perhaps the most heartrending of the evening.
However it is, with the talents named and those of the rest of the ensemble, Dayle Embleton, Luis Martinez, Armando Eleazar Estrada and Anaiah Simons, the show is a small gem and a delight to watch.
A GOLD MEDAL.
♦ ♦ ♦
Stringmates Running During The Fringe 2017 at
Actors Company
(Other Space Theater)
916 N.Formosa Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Remaining Shows:
Saturday June 17 2017, 8:30 pm
Sunday June 18 2017, 1:00 pm
Sunday June 25 2017, 2:30 pm
For Tickets and Information:
Support the Voices of The TVolution
Like us on Facebook and Please Subscribe
Emily Lavengood | July 19, 2017
|
Brandon Bolte, the choreographer as well as the music composer of the ENTIRETY of stringmates was sadly uncredited as he was deserved. He choreographed and hand picked the cast of William Clayton, Dayle Embleton, Anaiah Simons, Armando Estrada, Luis Martinez, as well as wrote, edited and composed all of the accompaniment through every transition on and off stage. I agree and fully support all that was said above; however, i do believe a lengthy amount of credit should be going to Mr. Brandon Bolte.