Not even a full year after following his dreams from Bainbridge to Los Angeles, the 20-year-old choreographer and creator of 2005’s “This is Now,” Vince Palazzolo is returning to the island with a new show and a new dancing addiction — contortion.
His latest work is an ode to that fixation which Palazzolo has been forging along with some professionally trained circus acrobats and gymnasts. “Toys and Dreams,” a collaborative circus style show without words, premieres at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
“With this show, we went more quality over quantity, I have some of the best of the best working with me on this,” Palazzolo said. “The few people on the floor are going to be spectacular. It’ll blow you away.”
The show is driven by the five-member cast’s astonishing acrobatic feats, which Palazzolo said still constantly amaze him.
The show features graduates from the National Circus School in Montreal, Canada, the San Francisco School of Circus Arts and members of the United State’s men’s rhythmic gymnastics team — which took the gold medal at the 2006 World Championships in Japan.
Each of those performers was cast by the production company’s aerial director and world traveling circus showman Benn Mendoza — one of the first “true” people, Palazzolo said he came into contact with in Los Angeles.
“After traveling around the world and doing all the shows I’ve done I’ve been collecting a group of performers and friends, we’ve just kind of bumped into each other and great things have been happening,” Mendoza said. “And (Vince) seemed like one of those guys.”
Mendoza and Palazzolo formed Antithesis Productions — which is the driving company behind the show’s somewhat humble beginnings.
“Down here, it’s all about who you know … What can you do for me? What can I do for you, thing?” Palazzolo said of Los Angeles. “I got tired of expecting other people to do things for me when I could do it myself, so that’s where Antithesis came from.”
The production company spawned along with the idea for “Toys and Dreams” in the fall of 2006. Since, the troupe has been forging the show out of a pile of collaborative ideas and a minimalist budget.
“This is a great jumping off point for something really big,” Mendoza said. “I’ve been doing circus for eight years and I haven’t been this excited in a long time.”
The show itself is packed with excitement, Palazzolo said, somewhat of a departure from his last creation “This is Now” which was a heavier look into the dangers facing kids today. “Toys,” while maintaining a youthful element, is more about the audience’s enjoyment, he said.
“I want them to be amazed … to say ‘whoa’ and laugh and be happy and be inspired,” Palazzolo said. “That’s the goal of this show.”
The visual works take the stage at BPA March 15-17 and is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $40. For more information on reserving a seat, visit www.theplayhouse.org or call BPA at (206) 842-8569.
