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Highlights 2001: Dancer's Aplenty, Choreographers Scarce
by Lisa Jo Sagolla
A look back at the dance performances we reviewed this year suggests that
today's contemporary dance scene abounds with gifted performers, yet
sports only a select group of exceptional choreographers.
We were wowed by the electrifying dancing of Patricia Kenny and her troupe
of top-flight terps. Veteran Graham dancer Terese Capucilli was absorbing
in her artful performances of dramatic works presented by Buglisi/Foreman
Dance. Jeff Moen mesmerized us with his tranquil interpretation of Saeko
Ichinohe's choreography. The arresting athleticism of Nathan Trice
was as astounding as always, while the warm charisma of Keith Sabado made
for an affecting premiere of choreographer Richard Daniels's moving
autobiographical solo.
Never have we had more fun at a dance performance, however, than we had
watching "Antigravity's Crash Test Dummies." The clowning
and Olympic-caliber gymnastics of this group of fearless dancers pretending
to be "dummies" testing consumer products was truly delightful.
The notable choreographers whose work we saw in 2001, though few in number,
offered remarkably imaginative and memorable dances. It is impossible
to forget "Jill in Brazil and The Orchid Show," the wacky
journey through comedic dance-theatre vignettes inspired by orchids concocted
by Neta Pulvermacher. Heather Harrington's duet, "Ruth and
Judith," presented in Dance Theatre Workshop's "Fresh
Tracks" series, will forever haunt us with its spine-tingling images
of throat-slicing, tickling, and nestling in a child's playroom.
With his outstanding, tango-inspired "Shall We...?,"
Kun-Yang Lin proved to be the year's most promising choreographer.
His work engaged us in the dramatic conflicts of human needs, offered
insights into why we dance, and had us laughing as we questioned the logic
of all we saw and heard. What more can we ask from a choreographer? May
many more contemporary dance-makers provoke us likewise in 2002.
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