With the cathedral’s storied stained glass windows filtering the west coast afternoon sun for a “lighting-by-god” dramatic effect, nine dancers will take to the labyrinth floor to explore the work’s themes of fate, love and the human condition—including courtship, romantic love, drinking and debauchery—that thread through Orff’’s score and the text. “Orff originally imagined the piece to be performed live with dancers” says Lawton, “so it’s a very exciting opportunity, as a choreographer, because of its iconic opening and closing of ‘O Fortuna, the orchestral range, and emotional complexity.”