DA N C E
BY KEVIN P IASKO WSKI
THE INTERNATIONAL
LANGUAGE OF TANGO
BRUCE LUNDY AND
KIM DONAHEY
Gardel’s Line heats up the Wildish Theatre
with the sultry Argentine tango
T
March 22, 23, 24
HAL POWERS
ango is more than simply a dance; it is a means of
seduction and romance. And while its origins are rooted in
South American culture, the tango has become an
international language.
On March 21 and 22, the Wildish Theatre will host
Gardel’s Line, a tango play written, directed and produced by Russ
DesAulnier. “All plays have a platform; for this play, tango is that
platform,” he says. But that platform is used to address
contemporary issues ranging from marriage struggles to deception.
“It addresses a lot about our society,” DesAulnier adds.
Gardel’s Line is set in a bar and the characters bring their
unique story lines to the dance floor using tango as their medium.
Kenyon Acton, the play’s choreographer, has invested time and
effort not only into the play, but into the tango culture itself. She
spent a year studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she
immersed herself in the passionate, collective dance experience.
“Tango as a social dance is improvised whereas most
performance dance is choreographed,” Acton says. “The show is
portraying social dancers not tango performers.”
DesAulnier explains that the story line captures “the human
imagination.” It has realistic drama complete with political jabs,
struggling characters and comic relief. One character professes, “I don’t
go to church anymore, but I got tango.” The play capitalizes on the idea
of an engaging community. “People want to belong to something
beautiful that’s engaging and that connects people,” DesAulnier says.
The three-act play takes on a classic structure with conflict,
resolution and, perhaps most importantly, a transformative
narrative. The characters span various demographics, including a
struggling MBA graduate who can speak two languages but can’t
find a job. Another character, an Italian tango teacher, provides the
play’s comic relief.
“I’m really excited for everyone involved, including the
audience, to be excited about tango,” Acton says. “With social
dances it requires you to have people to dance with so the more
people that are excited about what you’re excited about, the better
it is.” ■
Gardel’s Line runs 7:30 pm Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, at the Wildish
Theatre, 630 Main St., Springfi eld; $12.
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eugeneweekly.com • March 21, 2013
29