Founded in 1971 as an outsider dance company that drove the New York establishment batty, Pilobolus has since grown into a beloved institution that entertainingly explores movement through contortion, athleticism, weight-sharing partnering and skin-tight costumes. The company has become so popular over the years, due in part to its continual participation in advertising campaigns, such as commercials for Hyundai, Volkswagen and American Express.

Still more amazing is to watch the human spectacle live. For its 2009 tour, the company combines old favorites such as 1974’s Pseudopodia, which is described as a “tumblingtumbleweed solo set to an all-percussive score,” with newer works like the magical exploration of the natural world in 2008’s Laterna Magica, or the brand-new shadow piece that is an excerpt from Dog ID, created in collaboration with the lead writer from the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Steven Banks.

Pilobolus @ Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, 801-581-7100, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. KingTix.com