[NEohioPAL]Berko review: GROUNDWORKS DANCE (Cain Park)

[Roy Berko]

GROUNDWORKS EXPANDS REPERTOIRE AT CAIN PARK

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--


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


David Shimotakahara is unique among dance company
artistic directors.  He is not only a perfectionist
when it comes to developing precise dance numbers, and
is a superb dancer, but he is also willing to take
risks.  He schedules his company into various
venues...churches, public buildings, parks,
traditional theatres and botanical gardens with an eye
for reaching out to various publics.  He also
stretches his company by inviting new works by other
choreographers, and has a stable of exciting musicians
whose creations become new dance pieces.

The company’s recent performances at Cain Park’s Alma
Theatre, which is a perfect venue for a company whose
work invites close proximity, was a fine evening of
entertainment.  

‘IRON LUNG,‘ the opening piece, was the least crowd
appealing.   Choreographed by Kelly Garfield whose
work has been described as “crazy smart, poetically
subversive and brutally fun,” ‘IRON LUNG’ examines
loss and recovery.  It was not unified, often failing
to flow together.  The movements did not parallel the
words of the music by Aqualung.  It also failed to
play to the company’s strengths...the ability to have
controlled and meaningful movements.  This was
definitely not the same quality as Shimotakahara’s
conceptions.  Though well-danced, the company did not
display its usual emotional involvement.

‘ELEVENELEVEN ,’ a world premiere dance choreographed
by Artistic Associate and company member Amy Miller,
with music by wonderkindt Ryan Lott, saw bodies
flowing in parallel to the creative music.  Exploring
connectedness, there was a nice feeling created by the
dancers working as one.  The powerful ending brought a
positive reaction from the audience.  Like Miller
herself, the piece was powerful and was greatly aided
by Dennis Dugan’s well designed lighting.

Shimotakahara’s newest work, ‘LATITUDE,’ was a total
audience pleaser.  The ending was met with screaming
praise and a standing ovation that continued well
after most displays of appreciation.  The movements,
which fit the creative music of Hal Walker, were
perfectly executed.   Walker, who was on stage during
the performance, and was even incorporated into the
dancing itself, searches out and uses varying
non-traditional instruments.  He alternately and
sometimes even simultaneously played the concertina,
harmonica, Jews harp, and several instruments which
defied definition.  This was a delightful piece which
found the dancers adding to the musical sounds by
hand/thigh slapping.    The company would be
well-advised to have Walker conceive more music for
them to develop into dances to add to their
repertoire.

Damien Highfield added his talent to the company’s
four unbelievably competent dancers:  Felise Bagley,
Amy Miller, Mark Otloski and David Shimotakahara. He
fits well into the controlled meld of the others. 
Also dancing was Jennifer Lott, who has been with the
company in recent performances.  Lott, though she has
developed under Shimotakahara’s coaching, still does
not have the power of Miller or the grace of Bagley. 
Her style needs more honing to match the other company
members.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  GroundWorks Dancetheater once
again proved, in its Cain Park presentation, that it
is the area’s premiere small modern and contemporary
dance company.   


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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