May 03, 2006 -

OTTAWA -- Antony Rizzi combines high-style dance and low-style personality in three performances in the Studio of the NAC on Thursday May 11, Friday May 12, and Saturday May 13, 2006 at 20:00. Playing the title role in Snowman Sinking, he combines video imagery and classic Hollywood film clips with a personal appearance by his long-lost “sister”, played by underground superstar Penny Arcade. Deconstructing the notion of romantic love in articulate and luscious phrases of both movement and words, Rizzi’s wisecracking monologue includes stories of the process of making the piece, drug addiction, and the shattering of romantic illusions.

An outstanding dancer and ballet master withBallett Frankfurt, Antony Rizzi is also a visual artist and choreographer. He has created works for several major ballet troupes around the world, as well as for his own company. There is a ring of truth in his works, stemming from the artist’s personal experiences and obsessions, along with the playful images which give them shape. In Snowman Sinking, Rizzi calls upon two individuals — his long-lost sister and DJ Thorsten Jaksc — to evoke the protected and magical world of childhood. As the “sinking snowman,” Rizzi conveys his disillusionment and neurosis in a gentling mocking fashion. Between action and apathy, innocence and gravity, withdrawal and exhibitionism, a tension is created which is finally resolved through the artist’s remarkable capacity for derisive irony.

New York City downtown diva Penny Arcade joins Rizzi, playing his sister. Penny Arcade has been at the forefront of NYC’s downtown performance scene for nearly two decades, and she is one of the performance world’s most influential artists. She debuted at 17 with John Vaccaro’s explosive Playhouse of The Ridiculous, the late 1960’s seminal glitter, glam, political, rock and roll theatre. At 18, she was a Warhol Superstar featured in the film Women In Revolt, now available on DVD. An international superstar, writer, and director, Penny Arcade’s hit shows Bitch!Dyke!Faghag!Whore!, Bad Reputation, Love, Sex and Sanity and New York Values have brought New York’s downtown theatre sensibility kicking and screaming out of the underground to critical mainstream attention in 17 cities internationally.

“Snowman Sinking is a light, relaxed piece, as sincere as Rizzi himself, and as charming as snowflakes tickling your nose.”

Gerald Sigmund, Ballet Aktuel, April 2001

Snowman Sinking
CONCEPT, SET, FILM, and CHOREOGRAPHY:
Antony Rizzi with Verna Rizzi, Antony Rizzi and Thorsten Jakasch
TEXT Antony Rizzi, Tania Rizzi, Chinsang No Hana
SNOWMAN COSTUME Crystal Pite
MUSIC COLLAGE The Boredoms, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Durante, Kramer, Marilyn Manson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sonia Slany, The Sounds of Prescription and Transient Waves

Antony Rizzi performs Snowman Sinking in the Studio of the National Arts Centre on Thursday May 11, Friday May 12, and Saturday May 13, 2006 at 20:0. Tickets are $23, and $12.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at (613) 755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. Last-minute tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students are $10 at the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer after 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid ‘Live Rush’ card. NEW for 2005-06! Groups of 10+ save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices to all NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances; to reserve your seats, call 947-7000 ext. 384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca

Photos for all dance events can be viewed and downloaded at: www.nac-cna.ca/media/

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Information:
Gerald Morris
M arketing and Media Relations, NAC Dance Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca