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Choreography by Dalia Carella
Written by Andrew Frank & Fran Kirmser
Set Designer Maruti Evans
Costume Design by Dalia Carella, Elsa Oliveras, Richard Cruz, Lrose Designs
Performance at Duke Theatre, New York City
Choreography by Dalia Carella
Written by Andrew Frank & Fran Kirmser
Set Designer Maruti Evans
Costume Design by Dalia Carella, Elsa Oliveras, Richard Cruz, Lrose Designs
Performance at Duke Theatre, New York City
Excerpts from "In Search of a Goddess Performed at St. John's Art Center, Miami, FL, & the The American Theater, Hampton, VA
About the full length show of In Search of a Goddess: Ruth St. Denis (1878-1968), while on tour with The Follies in the early 1900's, saw a poster advertising "Egyptian Deities" and became fascinated with the advertisement’s central image - The Goddess Isis and Ancient Egypt. This moment of inspiration began her quest in search of the Goddess. A visionary, Miss Ruth spent her career exploring - through dance and theater - female figures of divinity from many cultures. Her popular and entertaining performances were powerful symbols of feminine strength and world unity and peace - a message that is especially relevant today. In Search of a Goddess based on Miss Ruth's work, character, creativity and humor, tells the story of her early inspirations with partner in plans and pranks, best friend Patsy, that lead to her signature works represented in this production choreographed by Dalia Carella. These works include Kuan Yin (White Jade), Nautch, Salome, Oulid Nayli, Cobra and Egypta. The essence of the ingenious Ms. Ruth is recaptured and danced by Dalia Carella and joined by her Collective.
Collective Repertory for In Search of a Goddess
(Can be booked by Show or Individual Work)
Collective works..
Nautch - The Nautch dancing girls show off their dance technique and attributes through their dancing, and a Sari Seller performs an umbella dance to get the dancers and the audience to buy his wares. A contemporary fusion of Indian Folk dance and Kathak.
Salome - a seductive dance of the seven veils.
Oulid Nayli - a tribe of dancing girls from Bou Saada, Algeria whose dancing skills have been handed down for generations from mother to daughter.
Egypta - a dance drama depicting Isis and her followers. This dance incorporates Egyptian Yoga, Jazz, African and Ancient Pharaonic Movement researched by travels to the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens and historical Ancient Egypt .
Solo Works..
Kuan Yin -A Goddess revered in the Buddhist tradition who represents Mercy and Compassion.
Nautch - A captivating and flirtatious dance solo with skirt work depiciting the Nautch dancers in India. A contemporary fusion of Indian Folk dance and Kathak.
Salome - Duet - King Herod and Salome. Dance of blood enticing the King for the Head of John The Baptist.
Cobra - an improvised dance depicting a High Priestess Cobra Goddess utilizing Ancient Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Indian Cobra movement danced to contemporary music.
Egypta/Isis- Based on The Egyptian Book of the Dead, it's Ritual and the Goddess Isis. Isis reveals herself with extraordinary wings on stage.
"Critics had crowned Carella the latter-day Miss Ruth, noting her skilled, glamorous interpretations of "ethnic" dancing. "Dance Magazine. Eva Yaa Asantewaa
"Carella's choreography, which she performs together with the members of her Dalia Carella Dance Collective, achieves ethnography more often than ecstasy. It contains a fascinating treasure of indigenous gestures. Star Ledger, Robert Johnson
"Carella should be commended for her passionate fusion of diverse cultures." Associated Press, Claudia LaRocco
"Dalia Carella is an accomplished artist. Watching her brought back memories of the power of the eastern dance of Ruth St. Denis early in the century and the inspiration that gave to another American girl, Martha Graham. She brought back the grace and mysteries of the East. A final solo based on Turkish, Spanish and Indian Gypsy dances had us all cheering!" Francis Mason, The World of Dance, WQXR