[NEohioPAL] Berko review: BALLET HISPANICO, MERC CUNNINGHAM, DANCE PREVIEWS, FOR GOOD FUNDRAISER

[Roy Berko]

BALLET HISPANICO, MERCE CUNNINGHAM, dance previews, ‘FOR GOOD’
benefit
 
Roy Berko
 
(Member,
Dance Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES
NEWSPAPERS--
 
Lorain
County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times  
 
COOLCLEVELAND.COM
 
One of the
problems in having touring dance companies come into the Cleveland area is that
they perform only one of two days.  Reviews mean little for locals as the companies may not return for
years, or ever again.  But, for the
record, it’s interesting to give picture snap-shots of the various companies’
performances.
 
BALLET HISPANICO
 
Dancing
before three sold-out performance audiences, BALLET HISPANICO, whose appearance
was co-sponsored by DanceCleveland and Cuyahoga Community College, presented a
mixed-bag program.  Pieces varied
from traditional Hispanic dance, including the  mambo, cha cha cha, bolero, rhumba and conga, to modern and
contemporary pieces.
 
Those coming
to the programs expecting folkloric presentations of dancers in traditional
costumes were probably disappointed.  Those knowing the reputation of this world class company got what they
expected, a combination of Hispanic sounds and movements blended with balletic
and contemporary moves.
 
The highlight
of the program was the closing piece, ‘RITMO Y RUIDO,’ a contemporary number
choreographed by Ann Reinking, a protégé of Broadway choreographer Bob
Fosse.  Known for her appearances
in ‘PIPPIN,’ ‘CHORUS LINE’ and the movie ‘ALL THAT JAZZ,’ Reinking is as
dynamic a conceiver of dance as she was a performer.  Many of her moves are patented Fosse.  Quick hand and head movements, pelvic
thrusts, gymnastic moves were combined in ‘RITO Y RUIDO,’ with traditional Hispanic
steps and body positions, to create an exciting and audience-pleasing dance.
 
The rest of
the program was not as successful as the Reinking piece.  Though generally well danced, there
were lapses in synchronized movements and the pieces often were not dynamic
enough to hold the audience’s attention.  
 
CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT:  Those who left the
Ballet Hispanico program after the first two-thirds of the program, and,
unfortunately, there were quite a few at the Friday night offering, missed out
on ‘RITMO Y RUIDO,’ the highlight of the evening.
 
MERCE CUNNINGHAM DANCE COMPANY
 
Merce
Cunningham is a dance legend.  His
choreography and dance programs are either revered or hated by both critics and
audiences alike.  
 
Very
contemporary in intent, the pieces are often danced to atonal sounds which defy
the description of “music.’   Many audience members were seen at the company’s late January Cleveland
performance, with fingers firmly thrust into their ears during much of the
program.  In fact, for the last
number, ‘SOUNDANCE,’ Dance Cleveland, the show’s sponsor, provided foam ear
plugs for the attendees.
 
Cunningham’s
choreography features precision combined with randomness.  They are static, non-story pieces, with
posing, slow and controlled movements, and the melding of bodies.  After a while, the whole experience
results in tediousness, at least in their local program. 
 
To really
appreciate Cunningham, it is necessary to let loose of traditional
understanding of the movements of dance and literally “tune out” and let what
happens happen.  He proclaims to be
an inducer of meditation.  But, but
how does one meditate when the ears are being accosted by a combined cacophony
of screeching sounds of lawnmowers melded with motorcycle engines being
amplified to piercing ear shattering tones?
 
CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT:  I found myself, during
the MERCE CUNNINGHAM COMPANY dance concert, thinking like the patron of an art
show looking at a palate of a black on black painting, and asking myself “what
is the positive shouting all about?”  I need to feel some pleasure during an artistic experience, not thinking
that I need to get an appointment to have my audiologist daughter check my
hearing for potential injury due to the sounds of the program.
 
UPCOMING DANCE CONCERTS
 
ALVIN AILEY,
AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE,  May 15, 16
and 17.  Sponsored by Cuyahoga
Community College and Dance Cleveland.  For information call 216-991-9000 or go to dancecleveland.org.
 
GroundWorks
is at the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre at Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Avenue
at PlayhouseSquare on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28.  Both
performances are at 8 pm, and will include the World Premier of FOR
YOU... by internationally
acclaimed choreographer Alex Ketley.    This will be the company’s last performance before their New
York debut!  For tickets call 216-241-6000
or go to www.playhousesquare.org.
 
SPECIAL EVENT
 
Emma Wahl, an
8th grader at Hathaway Brown, is producing ‘FOR GOOD,’ to benefit
ASTEP, an organization which aids underprivileged children in India, South
Africa, New York and rural Florida.  The event will  feature
Broadway stars Julia Murney, Tituss Burgess, Alexander Gemignani, and Lauren
Kennedy.  There will also be a
raffle of unique Broadway items and experiences.
 
The benefit
will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Cuyahoga Community
College —Eastern Campus.    Tickets are $25 (students), $50 (adults) and $100 (VIP, including
preferred seating, post-concert reception and photos with the artists, unique
Broadway gifts or Broadway backstage tours).  
 For further information, go to www.hb.edu/ForGood. 
To purchase tickets, go to http://ForGood.tix.com.
Any questions, e-mail ForGoodConcert at mindspring.com . 

 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)