[NEohioPAL] Berko review: Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company (DanceCleveland)

[Roy Berko]

*Israeli dance troupe captivates audience*



Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)



When Pam Young, the Executive Director of Dance Cleveland, went to Tel
Aviv, Israel to attend the *International Exposure in Dance*, she had an
ulterior motive.  Young was looking for companies for future programs.  There
were 40 dance troupes from 30 countries present.  Young was drawn to Inbal
Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, an Israeli group.   She set her
sights on bringing them to Cleveland.  Young not only succeeded in getting
them to come, but to open their 2012 United States tour at Playhouse
Square’s Ohio Theatre.



Besides Dance Cleveland’s usual corporate sponsors, the logistics of
bringing in the troupe was provided by the newly formed Cleveland Israel
Arts Connection, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Mandel Jewish Community
Center of Cleveland, and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.



An Israeli dance troupe.  That translates to Klemzer and cantorial music
and Sephardic and Ashkenazi folk dances.  Right?  Wrong!



The Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company blew away the capacity
audience with the one-act, hour-long production of *OYSTER*, an ingenious
creation which gives the illusion of a circus-world of wandering street
people whose intimate artistic vision speaks of truths.



The full-length work is filled with dreamlike qualities which reminds the
viewer of the works of Fellini and Tim Burton.  It is set to the music of
Piazzola, Leoncavallo, Harry James, Yma Sumac and the Tuvan throat singers.
The latter is a variant of overtone
singing<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtone_singing>practiced by the
Tuva <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuva> people of southern
Siberia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberia>
.  The effect is mesmerizing and lends itself to an almost mystic-like
involvement.



The troupe has 13 dancers who range in age from very young to 75 years of
age, and are of diverse nationalities and backgrounds.



*OYSTER* is a series of scenes which are done with amazing fluidity.  The
movements require great physical control.  It is both dramatic and comedic.
According to the choreographers, the presentation  is constantly being
updated through rehearsal, performance, polishing and cast changes.



It’s almost impossible to give a blow-by-blow description of *OYSTER* as it
contains ballet, modern dance, gymnastics, mime, acrobatics, flying
figures, illusion, dramatic lighting effects, shadow movements, and the
unexpected, all blending into a fascinating whole.



The printed program contained a column entitled *Dance Matters* by
former *Plain
Dealer* dance critic Wilma Salisbury.  It was an interesting discussion,
not only of Pinto/Pollack, but of why dance is important.



*Capsule judgement:  It’s too bad that the Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak
Dance Company was only at the Allen for two performances.  The positive
word of mouth would have sold out many, many concerts.  Let’s hope that
Dance Cleveland brings the company back…sooner, rather than later.*



Dance Cleveland’s next production is an evening of classical ballet
performed by BALLET MEMPHIS, presented at the Ohio Theatre on Saturday
March 10 (8 PM) and Sunday, March 11 (3 PM).  The company will perform Trey
McIntyre’s *IN DREAM*, set to a score by Roy Orbison.  Also on the program
will be *S’EPANIOIUR*, *BEING HERE* and *CURTAIN OF GREEN*.   For tickets
go to www.dancecleveland.org or call 216-241-6000. **