[NEohioPAL]Berko Reviews: Cleve Repertory Project & Ohio Dance Theatre

[Roy Berko]

DANCE AND MORE DANCE!!!!

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


CLEVELAND REPERTORY PROJECT WONDERFUL ATCAIN PARK

One of the problems with viewing dance at venues such
as Cain Park is that the presentations are for one
night only.  They are here, they are good, the word
needs to get out as to the excitement of attending
such productions, and they are gone before the support
can build.  This has been the case with all three of
the local dance companies reviewed this summer at Cain
Park.  Groundworks Dance, Pointe of Departure, and
most recently, Cleveland Repertory Project.  All
received standing ovations, positive commentaries, and
left their audiences wanting more. 

The positive side is that the Cleveland area, even in
the midst of the financial famine, has been able to
nurture such companies, though barely.  They all hang
on by a financial thread and the donations of local
dance aficionados.  Another positive is that with the
hole left by the demise of Cleveland San Jose Ballet
Company, and the less than thrilling productions by
Ohio Ballet, there is still good dance to attend.

Cleveland Repertory Project is in its sixteenth
season.  It is considered one of the premiere modern
dance groups in the area.  It has been blessed with a
wonderful new Artistic Director in the person of
Hernando Cortez.  His works and programming show
creativity,  precision and exciting variations.

"Planet Soup," the opening number, featured an
enchanting melange of dances to world music. Filipino
folk dances, Irish reels, African ritual dances and
Indian traditional forms were all displayed. 
Beautifully costumed by Edward Sylvia, the
bare-chested, tie dyed skirted males and sarong draped
females created exotic images. The dancers, who
obviously were enjoying themselves as much as the
audience, spun, partnered, flowed and performed with
exhausting and cohesive movements.  The highlight of
the piece was Jason Ignacio’s blind-folded
step-dancing between clapping poles.   

For long-time local dance attenders it was like a
shift back into time with the presentation of the
second number, "Laura’s Women." The contemporary
ballet was choreographed in 1975 by the late Ian
Horvath, who was a co-founder of Cleveland Ballet. 
Danced to the music of Laura Nyro, with copies of the
original costumes by Ginger Shane and using the
original lighting design of Jennifer Tipton, the piece
flowed beautifully.   Kallie Marie Bokal, Elizabeth
Flynn and Shannon Mulchay made the composition their
own.

SPEED (2003) was Cortez’s humorous approach to a
comic-strip-in-dance.  A smile piece from beginning to
end, tiny Jason Ignacio was the exact image of the TV
character Speedracer.  Along with his living "wings,"
composed of three female dancers,  he flew threw the
number taking the audience on a delightful journey. 
This is no great number, but it is fun to watch
normally staid dancers let loose and do it so well.

Aaron Copland’s "Appalachian Spring" is a beautiful
and haunting piece of music.  It lends itself well to
dance interpretation.  Originally choreographed and
costumed by the renowned Martha Graham, the piece was
reconstructed by Diana Gray and Gary Galbraith for
local presentation.  The story-ballet centers on a
celebration by a man and a woman who build a house in
the wilderness with joy, love and prayer.  They are
helped on their journey by a revivalist and his
followers and a pioneering woman who dreams of the
Promised Land.    The piece was given a meticulous
production.  Every character was clearly developed. 
Tall and powerful Mark Tomasic was properly stern as
the Revivalist.  Catherine Meredith was enchanting as
the bride.  Gary Galbraith, who was part of the
revival team, effectively danced the Husbandman. 
Elizabeth Flynn was strong as the Pioneering Woman. 
This was a wonderful reincarnation of a very important
piece of modern dance.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Call 216-397-3757 and request a
schedule of Cleveland Repertory Project’s season
brochure and attend one or more of their
presentations.  You won’t be disappointed.  They will
be repeating "Appalachian Spring" in their November
program.

OHIO DANCE THEATRE CLOSES PLAY HOUSE SEASON

Ohio Dance Theatre, which is housed in Oberlin,
recently completed its inaugural summer series at the
Cleveland Play House.  Normally the company performs
at Lorain County Community College and has developed a
very large following there.   According to Artistic
Director Denise Gula the company attracted a new base
while in residence at the nation’s oldest professional
theatre.  As always happens with groups new to an area
it takes a while for the word to get out, so audience
size was generally smaller than the company is used to
getting in its "real" home.  Cleveland’s economic
woes, which have strongly affected other arts
organizations,  did not help the situation.

Founded in 1992 by Gula, the company’s mission is to
"enhance the quality of life throughout the
northeastern Ohio area by offering quality dance
performances and educational programs."  

Due to Gula’s strong drama background as an actress
and director, the company is one of the few in the
country which incorporates theatricality into their
program.  For example, their recent production of
‘MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ consisted of a blend of
dance and spoken dialogue.

A theatrical production in two acts, ODT’S ‘MIDSUMMER
NIGHT’S DREAM’ uses as its theme the Shakespeare play
of the same name.  It is danced to the music of Felix
Mendelssohn.  Blending spoken dialogue with dance, it
makes for an interesting evening of entertainment.

Allen Schissler and Jody Skye danced well as Oberon
and Tatania, the king and queen of the fairies.  Their
closing duet was outstanding.    Though he could have
displayed a little more pixie quality, Alfiero Supan
made a nice Puck.  The Fairies formed a beautiful
corps, with good point movement and excellent timing
of the group movements.

The organization includes The School of Ohio Dance
theatre and the Ohio Dance Theatre Student Ensemble.  
Members of those organizations often appear on-stage
in Ohio Dance Theatre presentations.

Ohio Dance Theatre is currently holding auditions for
students 11 to 18 years of age for their Fall 2003
Pre-professional Training Program, Levels 1 and 2.  
Students enrolled in this program will have the
opportunity to perform in ODT’s upcoming production of
critically acclaimed ‘THE NUTCRACKER.’  To schedule an
appointment call the ODT office at 440-774-6077. 

Ohio Dance Theatre will present Tchaikovsky’s
‘NUTCRACKER’ at the Stocker Center Theatre on the
campus of Lorain County Community College on December
19, 20 and 21.  For tickets call 1-800-366-5333
extension 4040.


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