[NEohioPAL] Berko review: MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY plus previews

[Roy Berko]

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY pleases its audience!,
plus previews

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

Martha Graham is considered by most dance aficionados
to be the queen of concert dance.  Along with George
Balanchine and Merce Cunningham, she laid the
foundations for non-balletic dance in this country.  
Years after her death, her works still glow and
inspire.

Her company recently performed in Cleveland under the
sponsorship of Dance Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community
College and Playhouse Square Center.  The two concerts
each had a different set of offerings.  Opening night
consisted of ‘ERRAND INTO THE MAZE,’ ‘ARDEN SONG
(REDUX),’ ‘DIVERSION OF ANGELS’ and ‘ACTS OF LIGHT.’  
With the exception of ‘ARDENT SONG’ each segment was
well conceived and performed.

Using Graham’s powerful, athletic, gymnastic forms,
which utilizes the floor as well as the space above
it, ‘ERRAND INTO THE MAZE’ complete with robotic
moves, created a power illusion in which every
movement was in perfect sync with the musical notes of
Gian Carlo Menotti.  It was masterfully danced by Miki
Orihara and Tadej Brdnik.  

The actual choreography of Graham’s ‘ARDENT SONG’ has
been lost, so Susan McLain reconceived the movements. 
While using many of Graham’s tools (powerful and
sensual movements, gymnastic leaps and writhing on the
floor) ,the piece missed the expected power of the
original conceiver.   The conclusion was met with
courteous applause by the sold out audience.

‘DIVERSION OF ANGELS,’ using geometric patterns of
movements, successfully  explored mature, erotic and
adolescent love.  

‘ACTS OF LIGHT,’ based on the Emily Dickinson poem
which states, “Thank you for all the acts of Light
which beautified a summer now past to its reward,” was
a three-part creation which creatively examined a
conversation of lovers, a lament, and a ritual to the
sun.  


CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Martha Graham Dance Company lived
up to its world class reputation and advanced billing.
 Dance Cleveland and CCC are to be commended for
bringing major dance companies to the area.  It must
have been gratifying for the sponsors to see a sold
out house for the opening of the season.

Dance Cleveland and tri-C’s dance program continues
with Mark Morris Dance Group on Saturday, February 2,
Urban Bush Women+Compagnie Jant-Bi (Senegal) on March
1, and Leine and Roebana on Saturday, May 10.  For
tickets call 216-241-6000 or go online to
dancecleveland.org.

OTHER EVENTS:

‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’—CAROUSEL DINNER THEATRE, runs
through December 31.  Based on the 1954 movie, this
new made-for stage version is the first production in
NEOhio.  For tickets call 330-724-9855.


‘A LOSS OF ROSES’—ENSEMBLE THEATRE, November 10-25 @
Cleveland Play House.  William Inge’s depression era
play which, though it had a short run on Broadway, has
been praised in community theatre productions.  For
tickets call 216-321-2930.

‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’—Palace Theatre, November 9-18.
Disney Theatrical Productions, the producers of ‘THE
LION KING’ and ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,’ have created a
stage version of Disney’s ‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!’  The
production includes all of the favorite characters and
songs from the movie, plus two new songs written
especially for the stage!   For tickets call: 
216-771-4444





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://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com