Everything from Fosse jazz, introspective modern, discussion on dance notation, mask-wearing, video, spitting, and dialogue can be seen in the compilation of the Alwin Nikolais Centennial Alumni Concert. Just under two hours in length, the concert is presented by Bearnstow at the Interdisciplinary Studio Theater at Hunter College on Friday, December 3rd.
The evening is a collage of Nikolais’ former company members and students’ own works. It features the choreography of Bob Fosse, Timothy Harling, Steven Iannacone, Sally Gross, Murray Louis, Claudia Gitelman, Dudley Brooks, Kathy Kroll, Bob Beswick, Kim Gibilisco, and Beverly Blossom.
Nikolais was known as a choreographer unafraid to embrace the totality of performance – making the movement and use of special effects, theatrics and music equals. The eleven pieces presented in the Centennial Alumni Concert certainly speak to this idea, giving us in the audience a range of performance art to contemplate, laugh at, and watch in awe.
Opening with a comical rendition of ‘Erbie Fitch’s Dilemma (originally choreographed by Bob Fosse for Gwen Verdon for the Broadway show Redhead), the audience can’t help but laugh at performer Christine Resiner’s jibber-jabber. A few numbers later, postmodern dancer and choreographer Sally Gross performs Song (2007) – a piece that highlights her deep look into the audience and her painfully slow, subtle movements.
Dancers Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton stand out in their technique in their performance of Desde el Jardin choreographed by Steven Iannacone. The jabbing movement transforms them into this awkward, animalesque couple and they work with such interesting partner work (i.e. Diaz sliding down his body from over his shoulder to the floor with no support).
Visually-speaking, the Six INGS choreographed by Claudia Gitelman is a piece of note. Slender performer Lynn Needle in a long navy dress and large hat, she turns her back to us to unveil a layer of silver tinsel hanging from her hat to the floor. Just the beginning of the props to be used in the piece, it also carries an underlying tone of model poses, shapes and humor.
For all the dance scholars in the audience, Dudley Brooks’ performance slash lecture (along with performers Andrew Broaddus and Erica Hartono), A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Dance, offers a parody-like look at the idea of dance notation.
Though the performers range in age, style and technique, they all share a commitment and sense of serious irony in their pieces, which was refreshing to see.
The Alwin Nikolais Centennial Alumni Concerts were presented December 3rd and 4th.
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