The centrepiece stage event of this year’s Luminato has to be Einstein On The Beach, Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s landmark 1976 opera, which hasn’t been produced in two decades. Currently in the midst of an international tour, the production, which blends music, poetry and dance (with choreography by collaborator Lucinda Childs) plays June 8 to 10 at the Sony Centre. Don’t worry about the 380-minute, intermissionless running time – you’re allowed to quietly leave and re-enter throughout the show. To whet your appetite, all three artists take part in a panel discussion June 6.
A new Robert Lepage work is a major event befitting an international festival. (Remember how his epic Lipsynch was the talk of Luminato a few years ago?) This year he unveils Playing Cards 1: SPADES, the first piece in a projected tetralogy based on the suits of a deck of cards. Partly set in Las Vegas and Baghdad, the three-hour work explores war and deals with chance and rules. Expect lots of theatrical tricks from his Ex Machina company. June 13 to 17 at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre.
Co-founded by dance legend Martha Graham, Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company is one of the world’s most exciting troupes. Ohad Naharin has helmed it since 1990, and now he brings Gaga to Toronto audiences – no, not Lady Gaga, but a kind of multidimensional movement he created. They will show it off in Sadeh21, a virtuosic full-length work that ought to highlight the company’s dramatic and physical range. June 14 to 16 at the MacMillan Theatre.
