Roy Berko
(Member,
Dance Critics Association)
Since its founding in
1998, Groundworks DanceTheater, David Shimotakahara’s small dance company, has
been dedicated to the theme, “imagination you can see.” The company “explores the human
experience through unique and adventurous choreography.” They perform new works, imagine older
works, while performing in a variety of venues which range from an old ice
house in Akron to Trinity Cathedral to the Cleveland Institute of Art to the
Glendale Cemetery.
The latest adventure for
the company and its collaborators was at the Breen Center for the Performing
Arts. The same program will be
repeated at 7:30 on March 22 at
the Akron-Summit County Public Library.
The evening consisted of two world premieres and a revival.
LUNA, choreographed by
Shimotakahara in collaboration with the dancers, is a physical exploration of
polarities: lost and found, give
and take. As with any set of opposites,
the extreme ends of the spectrum overlap and reappear. The composition was danced to the flat
affect sounds written by Peter Swendsen. The quick gymnastic actions were well
performed, the polar opposites delineated by moves and counter moves, repelling
of touch, while unfolding in parallel sequences. The highlight segment was a compelling
duet by Felise Bagley, probably the best female contemporary dancer in the
area, and Gary Lenington. Like the music, the dancing was interesting, but
not compelling.
INAMORATA, also in its
world premiere, was the choreographic creation of Kate Weare, who is noted for
her unique dance voice. She
intends, through her visual images, to “inspire its own world.” As per its
title’s meaning—“a female lover or a woman who is loved”—the
number, which was danced to the recorded sounds of such compositions as Processional Hymn, Nannou, Contrabaejeando,
and No One Hurts Up Here, puts
females in various loving situations. An exciting addition was a recently rare
dance appearance by Shimotakahara.
The piece received deserved strong audience applause.
BRUBECK, a commissioned piece, was developed in
2012. Shimotakahara has given a physical
snapshot of the sounds of the American jazz icon as physical movements by combining seven of Brubeck’s’
lexicon of compositions, including, Take
Five, Bluette, Pick Up Sticks and Unsquare Dance.
Each section highlighted
a different side of Brubeck’s’ experimentation with moods and time signatures. His style has been epitomized as “motion and commotion” as
“creating infectious melodies and dynamic rhythms,” and this was well reflected
in the dancing.
The dancers switched
gears as the moods of the music changed from plaintive, to sassy, to happy, to
sensual. The overall effect
was energizing, educational and often mesmerizing.
As I commented in my
review of the original production, Kristine Davies’ costume design is
confusing. The female short
shirt-waist pink dresses and then the varying styles of bathing suits didn’t
parallel the musical moods and did little to create the needed visual image. The men’s costumes added little to
creating the visual moods. If the
piece is to be repeated again, consideration should be given to altering the
costume design.
Capsule judgement: Groundworks continues to be a bright star in the
area’s contemporary dance sky. The
well disciplined company, which strives to present new and interesting
performances in audience friendly venues, deserves the strong audience support
it is receiving.
Coming up: April 13 @ 8 PM at the EJ Thomas Hall the company will
perform with the Akron Symphony Orchestra.
For information go to
http://www.groundworksdance.org
UPCOMING LOCAL DANCE PROGRAMS
VERB BALLETS
Saturday, February 23, 2013, 8 PM,
Breen Center @ St. Ignatius High
School
Three works by Chung-Fu Chang, who is in
residency with Verb. Program
includes THE LILY, created for Verb, Chang dancing PHEASANT’S WRITING, a
self-choreographed solo work, and the world premiere of Richard Dickinson’s
ballet about loss and longing set to Richard Strauss’s haunting Four Last Songs
216-397-3757 or http://www.verballets.org/tickets.html
MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP
Saturday, March 2, 2013, Palace Theatre
Sponsored by Dance Cleveland
Affectionately known as “America’s dancer
company,” Mark Morris Dance, which is both brash and profound, is acclaimed for
its ability to make classical music visible through dance. The last time they appeared locally, I
wrote, “Morris,
who is meticulous in his choreography, takes a piece of music and creates a
movement for each note of the composition.” Morris Dance
sold out in its last local performance, so get your tickets now!
INLET
DANCE
April 11-13, 2013, Cleveland Public Theatre
Experience the second movement of Bill Wade’s exploration of
the 4 elements, AIR, along with selected pieces from the company’s repertoire.
216-631-2727 501 or cptonline.org
