in the premiere of ‘WAY OF THE WHALE’
Dedicated to marine biologist and expert in cetacean intelligence Dr. Roger Payne,
and composer/cellist David Darling
Friday June 14, 8 PM
The Scripps Studio Theater, 551 Grand Street
(top floor of the Paul Taylor Dance Company Studios)
Tickets: $25
Reservations: e-mail requests to whaledance2024@gmail.com
Choreography: Martita Goshen with company members Annmaria Mazzini, Kim Grier-Martinez,
Grace Ho, Yonna Lee, Patricia Ruiz, and Carla Rigon
Music: David Darling, and Dr. Roger Payne’s Songs of the Humpback Whales
Sound Design: Gregory Kostroff
Lighting Design: Aaron Copp
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“Ms. Goshen’s dances spring from her respect for the earth and its preservation.”
The New York Times
“With every ounce of her being (Goshen) pours her love and passion into her company. A true artist and guardian of nature, she will forever whisper the spirit words of the natural world”
“…her dances are brave and haunting proof that movement can be just as powerful as speech.”
The Washington Post
Choreographer Martita Goshen returns to the Scripps Studio Theater with the world premiere of “Way of the Whale,” a tribute to the great whales and prayer for their survival, on June 14th at the Paul Taylor Dance Company Studios, 551 Grand Street. The work is set to music by late composer/cellist David Darling and to a variety of the songs of humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and natural waves from recordings by Dr. Roger Payne.
The work is dedicated to the late Dr. Roger Payne, a great scientist, humanitarian, and marine biologist who discovered that humpback whales sing and who created a recording of their voices in the 1970s. At that time, notes Martita, “it was not known that whales were so sentient and possessed such highly evolved intelligence,” adding “(it) really saved these whales from extinction.” Dr. Payne’s book Among Whales was universally praised and brought to life the awesome presence of these great, noble – and desperately threatened – creatures.
“Way of the Whale” is also dedicated to the late composer/cellist David Darling, Grammy award winner for his album “Prayer for Compassion.” Martita has selected several of his songs from that album for her new work.
Martita Goshen was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, the daughter of American parents in the U.S. Diplomatic Corps, specializing in Latin American affairs. Growing up in some remote corners of South America, she was profoundly impressed by her time spent with the Indigenous people and one of the tribes in the Upper Amazon, which fostered her love and respect for the earth and its preservation, a theme reflected in her works. Her dance experience is derived from a diverse background, including studies with Anna Sokolow, Limon, Zena Rommett, and Christine Wright, among others.
“Way of the Whale” is made possible by the generosity of
Jody and John Arnhold, the Great Mother Earth Fund, and
loyal friends of Goshen’s Turtles Inc. around the globe.
Special thanks to Noah Aberlin of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Opera, My Love Magazine 