Martha Graham Dance Company “Appalachian Spring”

What I saw last night. Martha Graham Dance Company at the Rose Theater. An all Noguchi night in that all the sets were by Isamu Noguchi. There is always a waft of mustiness when seeing Graham works since they tend to feature Roman’s or biblical figures and spears and togas. These three works were from 1958, 1946 & 1944 respectively. The oldest is actually the most contemporary feeling despite the characters being pioneers. No doubt it is in part due to the familiar music of Aaron Copland. The other pieces have a bit of a kinescope feel but still hold some fascination.

Elements: Noguchi sculptures, fence, rocking chair,
Titles: “Embattled Garden” “Cave of the Heart” “Appalachian Spring”
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Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company “Fondly Do We Hope…Fervently Do We Pray”

What I saw last night. Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company at the Rose Theater. It seems ridiculous to have to go through a mall and wait on an elevator to attend a show. Such is the Time Warner Center. Also ridiculous is that I am seeing this show for the second time in a year. It has not gained much since my last viewing. Still ostensibly about Abe Lincoln but he was better used in the original Star Trek when he helped Kirk fight the Klingons. I could see better since it was indoors and they got rid of the sad video screens but they kept the giant shower curtain around the stage. I would have preferred to see Fela again. Poor Lincoln.

Elements: spoken word, live music, acting, singing, columns, a large curtain, silhouettes, wigs, stovepipe hats
Title: “Fondly Do We Hope…Fervently Do We Pray”
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Saburo Teshigawara

What I saw last night. Saburo Teshigawara at the Rose Theater. This theater has the best view from a lobby of any I go to. It also seems to have a penchant for having solo male dance shows. I confess not my favorite genre. This guy was not bad for what he did. Lots of washed out blue lighting and industrial music reminiscent of a planetarium show. He affected a palsy like movement and made some scary shadows and faces with a light bulb. A little like a stripped down version Momix or Pilobolus.

Elements: lighting, light bulb
Title: “Miroku”
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Emanuel Gat Dance

What I saw last night. Emanuel Gat Dance at the Rose Theater. A rather sterile show that is part of the Lincoln Center Festival.

Elements: silence
Titles: “Winter Variations” music R. Strauss, R. Sunbati, F. Schubert, Beatles “Silent Ballet”
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Mark Morris “Romeo & Juliet”

What I saw last night. The Mark Morris Dance Group at the Rose Theater.It is always going to seem strange to me when a theater is inside of a mall. It seems like something that should happen in the Midwest. Still they have some kind of view from the lobby.

This show was the evening length “Romeo & Juliet, on Motifs of Shakespeare” So titled since this version has a happy ending. It is mostly good but very long. I know this well since I saw it debut last year at Bard with different leads. (Pre-blogging)

Elements: wooden swords, doghouse size houses, nudity
Title “Romeo & Juliet, on Motifs of Shakespeare” Sergei Prokofiev (with newly discovered music) Noah Vinson & Maile Okamura
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