Event

Dan Plonsey's Bar Mitzvah

Dan Plonsey's Bar Mitzvah asks what it means to become an adult in today's world. Through humor and parody, music, dance and theater, the work will explore how we are both prepared for and protected from the knowledge and surprises of adult life. This composition will be performed by Dan's ensemble, Daniel Popsicle and joined by Eric and members of Dandelion Dancetheater.

A composer and sax player, Dan Plonsey has written music for the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Toychestra & Fred Frith, Santa Cruz New Music Works and the Berkeley Symphony, as well as for his own ensembles. He has performed and recorded with Anthony Braxton, Eugene Chadbourne and Tom Waits, but more frequently with local greats John Schott, John Shiurba, Robert Horton and many others. Most recently, He composed the music for a new opera, Leave Me Alone, with libretto by Harvey Pekar of American Splendor fame, which premiered at Oberlin College in January 2009.

Eric Kupers has co-directed, choreographed, and performed with Dandelion Dancetheater since its inception and formerly worked with Della Davidson and Margaret Jenkins. He teaches at Cal State University East Bay and is an artist-in-residence at ODC Theater in San Francisco. Eric has received many grants and commissions, including for Dancing in the Streets/NYC, and projects by John Killacky, California Shakespeare Festival, and Highland Summer Theatre.