The Look of Love
Premiere
BroadStage
Mark Morris Dance Group - Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
The Look of Love is a production of the Mark Morris Dance Group; BAM; BroadStage, Santa Monica; Cal Performances, UC Berkeley; The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth; and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in association with Arizona Arts Live, University of Arizona; Harriman-Jewell Series; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Modlin Center for the Arts at University of Richmond; Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech; Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts; Tennessee Performing Arts Center; UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures; and Virginia Arts Festival.
Details List
Choreography | Mark Morris |
Music | Original songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, arranged by Ethan Iverson |
Costume Design | Isaac Mizrahi |
Instrumentation | vocals, piano, trumpet, bass, percussion |
Number of Dancers | 10 |
Runtime | 65 minutes |
Details
Following the roaring success of his Beatles tribute Pepperland, Mark Morris teams up again with musical collaborator Ethan Iverson for The Look of Love, a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. A towering figure of popular music, Bacharach is known for his soaring melodies and unique orchestrations influenced by jazz, rock, and Brazilian music — his longtime lyricist Hal David providing unsentimental, poignant lyrics.
This evening-length work features original choreography by Morris and new musical arrangements by Iverson, performed by an ensemble of piano, trumpet, bass, and drums, with singer, actress, and Broadway star Marcy Harriell on lead vocals.
“For many years, I’ve wanted to see my music reimagined in some kind of theatrical production – not just a jukebox musical formula of songs, but an original work with its own story and appeal. I’ve found an ideal collaborator in Mark Morris, whose brilliant choreography and deep musicality give songs new meaning and dimension through movement. Like a great melody, his dances evoke an atmosphere and inspire feelings, and I think that’s just what the world needs now. I’m excited to see how Morris and his creative team bring my songs to the stage in The Look of Love.”
— Burt Bacharach
Press Quotes
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"Mark Morris’s tribute to Burt Bacharach is what the world needs now."
The Washington Post -
"This is choreography that, in the words of the song, says 'more than just words could ever say.'"
The New York Times