[NEohioPAL]Berko review: GROUNDWORKS DANCETHEATRE

[Roy Berko]

GROUNDWORKS continues to entrance audiences

Roy Berko
(Dance Critics Association)

It’s been 9 years now since David Shimotakahara left
Ohio Ballet to found his own dance company. 
GroundWorks Dancetheater bills itself as a highly
innovative company of ballet trained artists dedicated
to the development and presentation of new
choreography and encourages collaboration with other
art disciplines.  	It is that, and more!

It is one of the few companies that revels in not
having a home of its own.  The troupe can be found
performing in churches, dedicated entertainment venues
(such as Cleveland Public Theatre) and public
buildings (e.g., The Cleveland Botanical Garden).  

Its mottos include: “undiluted,” “unfiltered,” and
“unprocessed.”  

In its short history, GroundWorks has established
itself as a major force in Cleveland dance.  As
evidenced by the sold-out performances at their recent
run at the Botanical Garden, David and his dancers,
have gained a loyal following.  The dance-ophiles show
up no matter the venue.

In their most recent program, part of the Landmarks
Series 2007, the company premiered, “U ME U,”
choreographed by Artistic Associate Amy Miller.  
Centering on the theme “the repetition of an idea in
continually changing contexts,” the piece was a
collaborative effort between Miller, dancers Felise
Bagley and Mark Otloski, and guitarist/music composer
James Marron.  The selection, though very precise in
its movements, had the feeling of being created on the
spot.  The visual interaction between the dancers and
the musicians, who seemed to pick up their cues from
each other, was strong.  As Marron’s strumming slowed,
the dancers moved slowly.  When the performers sped
up, so did the music.  The sounds varied from
discordant, to riffs, to a flow of melodic sound.  The
piece was, at times, serious, at other times playful. 
This kind of performance takes a special relationship
between the choreographer, musician and dancers.  
Fortunately, Groundworks has all three in place!  “U
ME U” is a fine addition to the company’s repertoire.

The remaining two segments, Shimotakahara’s ‘MAJOR TO
MINOR” and “THE MUSIC ROOM” were restagings of former
presentations.  Both were danced to a collection of
musical creations. 

“MAJOR TO MINOR” used such music as “I Wished On The
Moon,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “Every Time We
Say Goodbye” to investigate the bittersweet and
sometimes humorous take on people in the pursuit of
love.”  Dancers Felise Bagley, Amy Miller, Mark
Otloski and David Shimotakahara were excellent in
making the transition from jazzy, to finger snapping,
to humorous, with ease. The highlight was the
delightful segment created around the song, “Peanut
Vendor.”  

“THE MUSIC ROOM” centers around a door, created by
Narelle Sissons’, which becomes the sixth performer as
it moves, flips, is slammed and opens and closes as it
serves as a means for entrances, exits, being a
barrier, a hindrance, and finally, a piece of
bewilderment.  

One must wonder how long some of the company members
will continue to carry on their arduous dancing. 
Several of the group are no long youngsters and have
passed the age at which dancers tend to slow down or
retire.  It would be a shame for Groundworks to cease
its wonderment because of the lack of new performers. 
It is rumored that the company has been holding
tryouts to expand its dancing corps.  It’s going to be
hard to have anyone come in and match the skills of
Shimotakahara, Miller, Bagley and Otloski.  We’ve seen
the difficulty that Jennifer Lott, a well trained
dancer has had in matching the precision of the
present company.  When she dances in tandem with
Bagley or Miller, as happened in the Botanical Garden
program, the differences in technique and polish shine
through.   It can only be hoped that when necessary,
Shimotakahara can find the likes of the present
company.

Capsule judgment:  Groundworks is one of the top dance
companies in the area and deserves the adulation it is
receiving.  

See Groundworks at their next program at Cleveland
Public Theatre On March 23, 24 and 25 as part of the
Cleveland Public Theatre’s Danceworks series.  Call
216-631-2727 for tickets or go online to
www.notsoobvious.com for information.  (BTW...this is
one of the most creative websites around.)


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly 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.  His dance reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


 
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