Songs of Un-Creation in Tucson, March 9
Abounding Grace Flute Circle in association with Paul & Sharon Surhoff present the return of Theatre Dojo, the award winning storytelling and musical duo consisting of Randy Granger and Algernon D'Ammassa, in the first local presentation of their work, SONGS OF UN-CREATION. The single performance will take place at 6:00 p.m. on March 9, 2019 at Abounding Grace, 2450 S Kolb Rd. Granger and D'Ammassa combine their powers as musician-storytellers to present ancient fable, folklore, myth, and music for a modern audience in the guise of two troubadours wandering through time. Their collaboration began in 2014 with their performance of AN ILIAD, which has toured to cities in five states, and continued with their original show, KILLING BUDDHA. Both shows have won awards at the Salt Lake City and San Diego International Fringe Festivals. SONGS OF UN-CREATION explores human conceptions of creation, and the nature of story and song. The show is rooted in indigenous American teaching from the Hopi, Dinè and others compared to an assortment of stories about humankind's relationship with the earth. Creation stories and morality tales from various world cultures such as Africa, Asia, Greek mythology are acted out using dramatic storytelling and an assortment of exotic cultural intsruments. Throughout, the performers maintain a musical pulse an offers audience an opportunity to participate, as they feel comfortable. Randy Granger is an award winning, nationally touring musician based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording artist, teacher, storyteller and singer-songwriter blends elements of southwest music like Native American flutes with world percussion and distinctive vocals. His work on hand-pan instruments was profiled on NPR's "All Things Considered" in 2007. Algernon D'Ammassa is a journalist and theatre artist based in Deming, New Mexico. Theatre Dojo began in Los Angeles in 2006 as an experimental theatre-training workshop for professional and non-professional actors to explore the craft of acting in combination with yoga, meditation, and martial arts. It was revived in New Mexico as a storytelling performance project engaging social and philosophical issues. D'Ammassa and Granger combine scripted material with improvisation and various found and traditional musical instruments throughout their performances. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m. on March 9. General admission is $20. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. For more information and to reserve seats, call producer Paul Surhoff at (908) 917-2307. For more information about Theatre Dojo, visit www.theatre-dojo.org or call (575) 545-7613.