Category: The Joyce Theater

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The Art of Isadora

Congratulations to Isadora Duncan Dance Company for a wonderful performance and a sold-out house at the Joyce Theater tonight.

Two years ago, when I first arrived in New York City, I received my very first dance class from former Duncan Dance company member Morgana Mellett. I loved the naturalness of the Duncan movements, the connection to the body, and the music. Morgana encouraged me to sign up for their week-long summer workshop, which I did and then repeated again for a second week.

Looking back, I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my dance experience in New York City. Duncan merged so many of my favorite dance elements. Vintage steps such as the mazurka, the gallop, and the polka. The influence of ballet. The emphasis on natural movements and expressiveness, which I enjoy so much in contemporary lyrical.

Seeing Duncan Dance on stage tonight at the Joyce Theater, in a way, is completing the circle for me. To see where it all began. To understand how I fell in love. To re-live the wonderful experiences that inspired me then… and still captivate me now.

Emily D’Angelo: I’ve seen you beautifully dance Greeting, Lullabye, and Flames of the Heart before, but you were more loving and more fierce tonight than ever. Bravos!

Nikki Poulos: You’ve grown so much! Love the way you opened the Furies.

Faith Kimberling: Love your musicality!

Hayley Brasher: I’ve mostly heard about you from others, except for the brief moment seeing you outside the theater tonight. Love your energy and radiance. Great job!

Of course, guest star Sara Mearns of NYCB Ballet is absolutely beautiful, and Lori Belilove as always, is full of the true Duncan spirit. Thank you for the incredible show and a wonderful evening!

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L.A. Dance Project

Another great program with L.A. Dance Project at the Joyce Theater this afternoon.

“Hearts and Arrows” is so much fun to watch!! In fact, it’s so dynamic and joyful that I want to join the dancers on stage. I could totally see myself doing movements (assuming I have enough technique) and loving the sensations.

Gaga’s “YAG” is intensely emotional. I’ve never felt the theater so still and so silent. Everyone held their breath, either out of respect or due to psychological shock, as each cast pronounced the death of their family members. As the onstage grief built up, actions as simple as Lilja Rúriksdóttir mechanically and repetitively doing a dozen push-ups triggered a sense of sorrow in me. Wow!

I like symbolism of the wife taking on the husband’s identify. I also like some of the unexpected artistic choices, such as the nude scene at the end and dancers crushing the line of fortune cookies. A couple things went a little too far and felt strange, like actually eating the fortune cookie. Over all though, I love the piece!

Saw “Orpheus Highway” again today, sitting dead center in the theater instead of house left. The small change in angle made a big difference. While the beginning felt chaotic seen from house left, the layers of film and live dancing felt coherent today. Janie Taylor stepped in for Rachelle Rafailedes today, which meant the film is not an exact replica of the dancers, but everything felt right in place.

Great job L.A. Dance Project! Merde and enjoy your second week in New York!

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L.A. Dance Project

Fun times with L.A. Dance Project at the Joyce Theater yesterday.

Justin Peck’s “Murder Ballades” starts out with child-like plays, blossoming relationships, and ends with dynamic spirited solos by each of the six dancers. Shoutout to David Adrian Freeland Jr for his turns! Wow! I also enjoy the choice of having male dancers do the more grounded movements and the female dancers leap into the air in the solos.

Benjamin Milllepied’s “Orpheus Highway” is the composite of a dance film, live dancing, and live music. It’s one of the few dance/video hybrid works that actually makes sense! I find the beginning a little distracting, but everything comes together nicely in the chase scene, the parking lot scene, through the railway track finale.

During the post-show curtain chat, we learnt that layers of dancers/musicians are supposed to mirror the original music which is composed for three string quartets. I’m mot sure if the motive came through, but it’s certain an interesting piece of work. Look forward to seeing LA Dance Project’s other program tomorrow!

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Rioult Dance

Saw the two sides of Rioult Dance NY at the Joyce Theater tonight.

First, one of Pascal Rioult’s first work as he formed his company. Second, a new world premier built on rock music.

My favorite part of the night is actually the curtain chat. Really enjoyed watching the friendly collegial interactions between Pascal and the three dancers who’ve danced with him for 10-18 years. Also unforgettable is sitting behind the rows of teens cheering on the company. It’s wonderful to see a well-run organization where dancers stay, collaborate, and grow together… and one that is deeply committed to and connected to its community. Well done, Rioult Dance!

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More of Parsons Dance

Returned tonight to see the amazing Parsons Dance at the Joyce Theater for a second time this week.

Finally a female dancer starring in “Caught”! Elena d’Amario is absolutely incredible. Love her lines and her extensions. Thank you for showing us not just how to fly… but how to fly so elegantly. If I may say so, it’s the best run of “Caught” that I’ve seen so far.

Absolutely love Ian Spring and Elena d’Amario in “Finding Center”. Beautiful emotional connection and powerful physical connection fused into a single duet. You two are gorgeous!

Feeling emotional after seeing Omar Roman De Jesus‘s “Daniel” again and knowing the story behind the creation. I wish I knew what the hand signals (sign language) mean during the tap portion of the choreo though.

Also, feeling so happy just watching all the dancers move in “Swing Shift”. I would go back anytime to see this piece again.

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Parsons Dance

The phenomenal Parsons Dance returns to the Joyce Theater!

Treated to an amazing program tonight with six unique choreographies.

Love love love the joyful and dynamic “Swing Shift”. Zoey Anderson and Elena d’Amario are so beautiful. But really, everyone in the eight-member cast is incredible. Love each and every of your jumps, kicks, turns, and all the energy you bring on stage. You all are amazing tonight, Geena Pacareu, Deidre Marie Rogan, Ian Spring, Justus Whitfield, Omar Roman De Jesus, Eoghan Dillon.

Ian Spring and Elena d’Amario are absolutely gorgeous and sensual in “Finding Center”. I can’t bear to take my eyes off them for even a fraction of a second. I wish time would freeze so I could continue watching them spin around each other, before the curtain closes.

Thank you Ian Spring, for showing us how to fly in “Caught”! Bravo!!!

Bravos also to “Daniel” created by company member Omar Roman De Jesus. I was already filled with emotions as I watched the dance. However, during the curtain chat, Omar spoke of his creation process, and described how he choreographed the piece to communicate with an autistic child. Wow. Suddenly, everything took on a new meaning. The dance meant so much more than what I had initially thought…

And, a fun curtain chat with the choreographers! I enjoyed learning about the fusion of Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Robert Battle, 80s South Bronx, gymnastics, and trampoline that led to tonight’s program. Keep experimenting and innovating! Look forward to seeing more of you, Parsons Dance!

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Richmond Ballet

At the ballet with Richmond Ballet at the Joyce Theater plus a post-show chat with the company.

Favorites moment: Maggie Small‘s duet in “Lift the Fallen”. Great job!

Random thought: How small is the dance world? I was chatting with the lady sitting next to me. As it turns out, her niece is a ballet dancer, and I’ve previously photographed her. We then browsed through photos on my phone looking at her niece’s performance.

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Your Courage from José Limón

“To the young I say: Do not for an instant abandon that most indispensable asset of the artist, your courage.” — José Limón

Went back to see the amazing José Limón Dance Company for a second time this week at the Joyce Theatre.

Love the new version of “The Exiles” by Savannah Spratt and David Glista with live singers and music composed by Aleksandra Vrebalov. I interpreted the story in a whole different way, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. “Concerto Grosso” and “A Choreographic Offering” are both beautiful with a different set of lead dancers. My favorite goes to the solo by Brenna Monroe-Cook (Wednesday) and Logan Frances Kruger (tonight). “Night Light” is still incredible.

Random thought: The closing scene of “A Choreograph Offering” reminded me of Paul Taylor’s “Brandenburgs”. Despite moving with more subtle and measured gestures, I felt the Limón dancers actually projected greater energy. Expressing more with less, such is the fascinating language of dance!!

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José Limón Dance Company

Wow’ed by José Limón Dance Company at the Joyce Theater tonight.

There’s so much life in José Limón’s work.

On top of the full range of emotions expressed by the dances, the physical delivery is also mesmerizing. Contrasts between powerful percussions (full company stomping the floor) and subtle gestures (a flick of the wrist). Sudden shifts from dynamic motions to perfect stillness. Yet, in between these extremes, everything blends together into a beautiful story.

My favorites are the strength and tenderness found in “A Choreographic Offering”, the elegance and beauty in “Concerto Grosso”, and also Kate Weare’s contemporary work “Night Light” where everything flows so smoothly.

In the post-show conversation, Kristen Foote answered an audience question why she became a dancer: “Dance gives back. Dance is revelatory. The most rewarding part of surrendering herself to dance, is that she discovered herself.”

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Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

What a treat! At the ballet tonight with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet at the Joyce Theatre.

Thanks for putting the biggest smile on my face in “Eudaemonia.” You stole my heart with the gorgeous duet at the end of “Silent Ghost.” You then put those beautiful, sensual beating hearts on stage in “Huma Rojo” to entertain us, mesmerize us, and tease us. Ha! Loved every minute of it!