Wonderbound, Denver’s trailblazing contemporary ballet company, returns to the stage with Devil’s Crush, an electrifying season opener that promises to captivate and challenge audiences. Running from October 17 to 27, this production reimagines an ancient tale with roots stretching back over 6,000 years, breathing new life into a story of temptation, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Under the guidance of artistic director Garrett Ammon, Devil’s Crush tells the story of a woman at the twilight of her life, standing at a metaphysical crossroads. She is beckoned by Saint Michael, the archangel, who offers her a path to heaven. But as she hesitates, reluctant to abandon the pleasures and experiences of her worldly existence, Lucifer appears with a tempting proposition. He offers her 666 more moon cycles—approximately 54 years—of youth and vitality, with him as her devoted servant, in exchange for her soul and eternal service in hell. The choice is hers, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
However, in a bold twist on the classic Faustian narrative, the story unfolds with an unexpected outcome: Lucifer loses his wager. Stripped of his powers, he is condemned to walk the earth as a mortal, no longer the all-powerful ruler of the underworld but a man grappling with the limitations and emotions of humanity. As he navigates the quirks and complexities of the human experience, Lucifer encounters a challenge he never anticipated: the possibility of falling in love.
Devil’s Crush is a multidimensional experience that embodies Wonderbound’s signature approach to storytelling through movement. Known for its daring and innovative productions, Wonderbound has consistently pushed the boundaries of contemporary ballet, blending tradition with modernity, vulnerability with courage, and intimacy with openness. Under the leadership of Ammon and Dawn Fay, the company has become a cultural force in Denver, renowned for its collaborative artistic endeavors that erase the boundaries between different mediums and invite audiences into a candid exploration of the human condition.
The themes explored in Devil’s Crush— the allure of eternal youth, the complexities of love, and the eternal battle between light and darkness—are universal, yet presented in a way that is uniquely Wonderbound: provocative, thought-provoking, and visually stunning.
As the audience watches Lucifer’s journey from a fallen angel to a vulnerable man, they are invited to reflect on their own lives and the choices that define them. Could you choose between eternal youth and love? Between sinful delights and heavenly salvation? Devil’s Crush delves into these profound questions, offering no easy answers but instead challenging viewers to ponder the intricacies of human desire and the price of temptation. It’s a story too enticing to resist—just like the Devil’s offer at the crossroads.
