[NEohioPAL] Berko review: VERB BALLETS 8/10 @ CAIN PARK

[Roy Berko]

Verb Ballets hits highs and lows at Cain Park 

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

--coocleveland.com—

The night was warm with little humidity, the crowd was large, the setting 
perfect for an encompassing evening of dance.  Verb Ballets presented its annual 
Cain Park program on August 6.  The evening, which was populated by several 
world premieres and some reprisals of audience favorites, showcased both the 
strengths and weaknesses of Cleveland’s National Repertory Dance Company.

Program highlights included ‘TO HAVE AND TO HOLD,’ a 1989 piece, which was 
getting its 2010-2011 season company premiere.  It was choreographed by Daniel 
Shapiro and Joanie Smith to the music of Scott Killian.  The gymnastic piece, 
which was performed with the dancers moving on, over, beneath and beside a 
series of benches, included the entwining of bodies in vertical and horizontal 
interactions.  The visual impact was excitement and wonder at the agility and 
daring of the dancers who often risked life and limb while performing the 
complicated moves.

Another audience pleaser was the well performed and conceived ‘AMBIGUOUS DRIVES’ 
in its world premiere.   Choreographed creatively by Tommie-Waheed Evans, to the 
music of Greg Smith, the whirling dervish of movements fit the erratic sounds.  
The production was highlighted by outstanding performances by Katie Gnagy and 
Erin Conway Lewis. 

‘THE FIDDLER,’ well performed to the Klemzer music of Samuel Matlowski, is a 
short piece based on stories by Sholem Aleichem, the Jewish Mark Twain, who 
mirrored his creations on life in the shettels (villages) of Eastern Europe.  As 
is often pictured in the paintings of painter Marc Chagall, the fiddler 
represents Jewish tradition.  Brian Murphy competently  enacted the fiddler, who 
like the Jews in the Diaspora, are bent, but don’t break.  Katie Gnagy as the 
mother and Erin Conway Lewis, as the daughter, were also excellent.

‘TARENTELLA,’ another season company premiere, was in need of dynamics.  The 
Tarantella, a joyous Italian folk dance need to be exciting, filled with joy.  
Stephanie Krise sparkled, but Gary Lenington tromped around, unsmiling, creating 
the wrong visual and aesthetic illusion.

‘WINGS AND AIRES,’ the opening number, featured eye catching red costumes and 
many ill timed movements.  The male corps was consistently out of step with each 
other.  The highlight of the number was the second movement, nicely danced by 
Erin Conway Lewis and Brian Murphy.

‘CLICKS Crew,’ choreographed by Annalee Traylor, was an opportunity to showcase 
Verb’s Creative Liaisons Inspiring Cleveland’s Kids, a summer training program 
to engage teenagers interested in pursuing a career in dance.  A combination of 
break dancing, modern movements and traditional ballet, it served its purpose of 
giving the kids a chance to show their skills.

The Cain Park program proved what has been known for some time.  Verbs has a 
strong female corps, but is in desperate need of new male dancers.  Except for 
Brian Murphy, none of the present group of male dancers is up to the task of 
dancing major roles or, in some cases, of displaying the concentration and 
skills needed to create sync in group movements.  Though, at times Antwon 
Duncan, as he displayed in ‘TO HAVE AND TO HOLD’ can dance solo, he was 
consistently out of step when forced to coordinate movements with others.  Lloyd 
Boyd Amir III just doesn’t have the training and control to be in a major 
company.  Gary Lenington appears to be past his prime, often dancing flat 
footed.  Why doesn’t Verb go on a search to find quality males?  They are out 
there, they just have to be sought out. 

Capsule judgement:  VERB BALLETS’ Cain Park program had many highlights, but 
desperately needs to shore up its male dance corps.

VERB BALLETS will give free performances at the Tremont Arts in August Series, 
August 20 & 21at 8:30 pm in Lincoln Park on W. 14th and at the IngenuityFest,  
September 24 - 26, 2010. 
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2010, 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.)