[NEohioPAL]Morrison Dance (DanceWorks 07)

[Roy Berko]

Morrison Dance uninspiring  as part of DanceWorks 07

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

After each of the pieces of ‘10!,’ Morrison Dance
Company’s program of short pieces,  which they are
presenting as part of DanceWorks 07, there was polite
applause.  This, in spite of the fact that it was
opening night and many of the audience members were
friends or family of  choreographer Sarah Morrison, or
her dancers.   The tepid response was right on target.

Though Morrison is a very proficient dancer, her
choreography lacks dynamism.   It lacks vitality. 
Most of what goes on during her staging is static.  At
no time is there a “wow” factor.

Even her signature piece, SKETCHES OF RODIN,’ lacked
the imagery of Rodin’s sculptures, which supposedly
inspired the piece.  Rodin’s works are strong, command
attention, make themselves stand out.  Morrison’s
piece, which consisted mainly of Kalindi Stockton
rolling around the floor moving a piece of “marble,”
was understated and anything but breathtaking.

The highlight of the evening were the masks created by
Scott Radke, Morrison’s husband and artistic
collaborator.   Too bad the choreography wasn’t up to
the visual impact of the artwork.

Capsule judgment:  If Morrison Dance is ever to
develop a strong following like Groundworks, Inlet and
Verb Ballets, Sarah Morrison is going to have to
expand her repertoire by either letting lose with her
own creative juices or supplement her work with some
other choreographers who are capable of taking the
dancers to a new level.

‘10!’ runs through March 18  at Cleveland Public
Theatre as part of the venues DANCEWORKS 07.    Other
companies to perform as part of the festival are: 
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (March 22-25),
Inlet Dance Theatre (March 22-25), Antaeus Dance
(March 29-April 1), Groundworks Dancetheater (March
29-April 1), Travesty Dance Group (April 12-15).  For
tickets call 216-631-2727.


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 reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


 
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