[NEohioPAL]Berko review: NEOS DANCE THEATRE/PLAYHOUSE SQUARE PREVIEWS

[Roy Berko]

NEOS DANCE THEATRE A PLEASANT SURPRISE; PLAY HOUSE
SQUARE EXPLODES WITH ACTIVITIES

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

NEOS DANCE THEATRE

One of the problems with many dance productions in the
Cleveland area is that they usually run for one
performance or no more than a weekend so if a company
comes along which is outstanding, it is impossible to
get the word out in time for them to build an
audience.

This was definitely the case with the recent
performance by NEOS DANCE THEATRE at the Cleveland
Public Theatre.   NEOS is a company who have only
recently left their confines in Ashland, Ohio to
venture into the Cleveland market.  

The company’s goal is to make dance accessible through
outreach programs that are both lectures and
performances, as well as doing traditional dance
concerts.   

The company is led by Robert Wesner, who serves as the
artistic director and lead male dancer.  The rest of
the company consists of Sarah Cyders, Kari Nikolaus,
Justin O’Donnell, Gabrielle Smith and Brooke Wesner
(the wife of the artistic director).    The individual
dancers are well versed in traditional ballet as well
as eclectic movements including tap and modern dance.

The CPT program opened with “Rondo Capriccioso,” in
which the young and talented dancers worked with
choreography by Robert Wesner that was perfectly timed
to the mood and beat of the music.  Using creative
body movements and excellent control, the black-clad
dancers combined classic and modern movements
effectively.  There was a wondrous whimsical quality
to the staging that fit the recorded sounds of the
Saint-Saens music.  

“Missing Person” was meant to expose the different
emotional states that one goes through when
considering, committing to, and dealing with an
abortion.  Appropriate facial expressions and
controlled and expressive bodily movements allowed for
clarity of Wesner’s choreographic mission. 

“Trilogy,” the third selection, was a combination of
sprightly and then serious movements.  Effective
lighting helped create the proper moods as the music
made its transitions.  Using interesting body angles
to form geometric shapes, intricate lifts, appropriate
facial expressions and body intensity, the piece was
well received by what unfortunately was a sparse
audience.  

“Song of Solomon,’ danced to the music of George
Gershwin, was elegantly performed by Brooke and Robert
Wesner.  Dressed in formal wear, the duo performed a
modern ballet piece with classical overtones.  Brooke
was on toe for much of the selection.  The pair
displayed fine partnering skills.

“Draw Back” was a tap number staged with no music. 
Choreographed by Justin O’Donnell, it was performed by
O’Donnell and Wesner.  Unfortunately, the duo was not
well matched.  Wesner’s dancing ability far
outstripped his younger partner, making for some
disjointed timing and dynamics.  O’Donnell looked like
he was laboring throughout, displaying almost no
facial expression except for occasional grimaces.  

“Norm and Cleo” was danced to an organ rendition of JS
Bach’s “Toccatta and Fugue in D Minor.”  A bench
served as a staging platform for examining a trying
time in the lives of Pastor Norman Johnson and his
wife.  Though well done, the piece became laborious
with its heavy religious overtones.

The final program segment was “Flash Forward” a very
creative piece staged by Wesner.  Using flashlights,
smoke, spotlights and special lighting effects, the
piece accurately developed Paul Ruskay’s chanted
music.  The dancing combined balancing of bodies,
gymnastic movements and unusual carries.  This was a
well executed and fascinating piece.

Excellent dance perfomances were consistently given by
Robert Wesner, Sara Cyders, Gabrielle Smith and Brooke
Wesner.

Capsule judgement:  Robert Wesner proved in NEOS DANCE
THEATRE’s recent short residency at Cleveland Public
Theatre that he is a very gifted choreographer and
dancer.  His company is well-trained and disciplined. 
He does have to make a decision regarding his thematic
selections.  The program presented at CPT contained
several religious-based pieces.  If he wants NEOS to
be a Christian-based company, then he has to advertise
it as such.  It is a production decision he is going
to have to make as he moves his group from a local to
a regional or national company.

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE EXPLODES WITH ACTIVITY

When the Play House Square Association announced this
year’s Broadway series there were many disappointed
potential patrons.  It appeared that this was going to
be a less than exciting season.  Well, the people at
the Association did something about it.  They went out
and found lots of entertainment to fill its theatres. 
Running in the next several months will be:

MISS SAIGON, December 14-19.  This touring production
has received excellent reviews.   ‘PHANTOM OF THE
OPERA’ has its falling chandelier, ‘this show has its
helicopter.

THE PRODUCERS, January 18-23.  The show which was the
winner of the most Tony Awards in Broadway history,
plays a return engagement MISS SAIGON, December 14-19.
 This touring production has received excellent
reviews.  
to the area.

MOVIN’ OUT, February 8-20.  This Twyla Tharpe
choreography of Billy Joel music will be receiving
it’s area premiere.  Clevelander Michael Cavanaugh,
who received a Tony nomination for his solo singing
role in the production, will take a break from the
Broadway run and come to his home town to perform.  (I
saw the world premiere of this in Chicago and loved
it!)  It’s a show of song and dance, no spoken words.

PETER PAN, March 8-20.  Olympic gold medal gymnast
Cathy Rigby makes her umpteenth and last appearance in
this musical version of the classic tale of the boy
who won’t grow up.  By the way, if you haven’t seen
the movie FINDING NEVERLAND,’ which chronicles how the
original play was written, do so.  It is playing in
local movies and stars Johnny Depp in what should be
an Academy Award nominated performance.

Of course the wonderful ‘MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL’
continues its run in the 14th Street Theatre.  It’s
fun, must see.  And, the less than wonderful ‘TRIPLE
ESPRESSO’ continues at the Hanna Theatre, but who
knows why.

For tickets to any Play House Square production, call
216-241-6000 or go on-line to playhousesquare.com.


=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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