Minneapolis-based playwright and performer Kasano Mwanza began working on his play, “Maharu,” a decade ago. Someday, he said, it will become a full theatrical production. But this month, it comes alive as something else: a dance.
The production, by Contempo Physical Dance company and showing March 21 at St. Paul’s O’Shaughnessy, offers a sort of cross-cultural exchange between Zambia, where Mwanza was born, and the Afro-Brazilian roots of Contempo’s choreography. It tells the story of a family curse, forest spirits and magic, but not in the same linear style you’d expect from a play.
Instead, choreographer Marciano Silva dos Santos’ athletic, expressive style explores the story’s themes and emotions. Yes, the dancers tell a story – energetically, with bright costumes and a bold set – but it doesn’t always move from A to B.
“My dream for ‘Maharu’ is to actually have it play across the world as a play with dance in it,” Mwanza said. The story’s cross-Atlantic connection, he said, “brings out folklore and music and the colorful culture that I think you can’t necessarily celebrate without dance.”
Growing up in Zambia, the idea of becoming a dancer – as a profession – was laughable, he said. “Because everyone’s a dancer,” he said. “It’s inherently part of the culture to dance.”
Mwanza, who has danced with Contempo in the past, now sits on the company’s board. He’s also a singer and actor, having performed on Twin Cities stages like the Guthrie and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and on cruise ships. And he’s the author of a children’s book about singing and a cookbook promising “a simple recipe tour from Africa to Minnesota.”
I met him about a year ago for a piece here in MinnPost about his work as a talent agent. Over a cup of chai tea in Northeast, he told me about his goal to get “Maharu” produced – a daunting endeavor if you don’t have your own company at the ready.
It turns out Mwanza is an avid tea drinker – it’s one of the ways he connects with people in conversation. Some time after our interview, he met up with Silva dos Santos to speak about Contempo’s upcoming projects. As the two brainstormed, it dawned on Mwanza to pitch his own play as a series of vignettes put to dance.
Silva dos Santos was intrigued. Soon, with a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, they embarked on the project.
Contempo’s managing director Jenny Pennaz helped translate the script into workable elements for a dance piece. Instead of each dancer representing one character, they decided to try a whole group of dancers representing moods and characters.
“We almost have to be a bit abstract about it,” Mwanza said.
In one particularly riveting section I observed during a February workshop, the entire cast become Curupira, spirits of Amazonian folklore who live in the trees and protect the forest. The dancers swung their arms low to the ground in animal-like movements, embodying the red-maned creatures.
In “Maharu,” Mwanza imagines the Curupira traveling to Zambia with the jacaranda tree, native to South America but imported to Zambia during the country’s colonial period.
“We never stopped each other,” Silva dos Santos said of his collaboration with Mwanza. When one proposed a new idea, they’d try it out – often making each other laugh in the process. “Does it work? If not, put it aside,” Silva dos Santos said. “It’s a back and forth the entire time.”
By creating a dance performance, Mwanza said he was able to explore “a different side of ‘Maharu’.” And he’s still working toward the play version. In early March, he held an informal reading of the script with actors, with many of Contemo’s dancers in attendance.
Mwanza’s story reveals a complex plot with high stakes, intrigue and the supernatural. Its iteration as a dance echoes the play and evokes key moments, but ultimately stands on its own as a distinct, worthwhile project.
“Maharu” will be performed on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at The O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. ($10-$43). More information here.
Other dance performances happening in the Twin Cities this weekend:
Shamel Pitts and TRIBE: “Marks of RED”
Culminating a three-year engagement supported by the Walker Art Center and Northrop, dancer-choreographer Shamel Pitts and his collective, TRIBE, present a new work co-presented and co-commissioned by the two organizations. The last two offerings we’ve seen from Pitts were dazzling, high-concept stunners and I have no doubt this weekend’s show will follow that trend. Friday, March 20, & Saturday, March 21, at the Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis ($50-$60). More information here.
Concerto Dance: “Such Sweet Thunder”
Modern and jazz dance troupe Concerto pays homage to Shakespeare’s female characters as part of their latest production, choreographed by artistic director Jolene Konkel. They’ll also celebrate Martha Graham’s 100th birthday with a new work by Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company, highlighting local percussive dance choreographer Joe Chvala. Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 22, at 12:30 p.m. at the Southern, 1420 S. Washington Ave. ($30). More information here.
