Guest review by John Simmons ~
At first glance,
Dance Kaleidoscope’s Divas is virtually critic-proof. After all,
what’s not to like about an evening of dance choreographed to the
music of some of the world’s most celebrated female singers? The
evening promises to be one of pure entertainment … and DK’s Divas
is certainly all of that.
But, if you look
closer, you’ll see something far more interesting (and intriguing)
going on.
Structurally,
Divas is divided into halves: the first half features nine numbers
choreographed by members of DK’s young dance troupe to the music of
such world-class divas as Annie Lenox, Celine Dion, Adele, Stevie
Nicks, Kelly Clarkson, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Patti LaBelle and
Barbra Streisand.
The second half features world premieres of works
choreographed DK’s Artistic Director David Hochoy (to the music of
Janis Joplin) and Guest Choreographer Nicholas A. Owens (to the music
of the great Aretha Franklin). Both halves are ably supported by
Costumers Guy Clark and Cheryl Sparks, with especially noteworthy
work done by Lighting Designer Laura E. Glover.
As you’d
expect, Divas’ second half is highly-polished. In his remarks at
intermission, David Hochoy spoke of his admiration – born at an
early age – for the music of Janis Joplin, and his tribute to her
is full of flashing colors, waves of movement and choreography that
emphasizes the physicality of his young dancers. It’s a tribute
that captures the energy of Joplin’s music, if not its (occasional)
sadness.
Nicholas Owens’ tribute to Aretha Franklin is somewhat
more varied and, at times, more subdued – featuring such
show-stopping numbers as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and
Respect (two songs that are certainly on everyone’s list of
all-time favorite songs) and ending with the lovely and
beautifully-choreographed First Snow in Kokomo.
In contrast,
Divas’ first half is less a tribute to the divas whose music it
celebrates and more of a look inside the minds of the next generation
of choreographers, as they explore issues of concern to young people
everywhere. Themes covered here include sex, love, the excitement of
a first kiss, the joy of self-discovery and the loss of a parent.
While technically polished, Divas’ first half is especially
interesting because of the idiosyncratic, almost quirky, choices DK’s
young artists make.
Jillian Godwin’s
First Touch (performed to the music of Adele’s I Miss You), for
example, is a very muscular, almost aggressive look at the rush that
comes with a new relationship. Missy Trulock’s Edge of Seventeen
(choreographed to Stevie Nicks’ song of the same name) features
imagery that captures the challenges that women face in dealing with
a society that wants them to be both empowered and angelic. Zach
Young’s Missionary Man (choreographed to Annie Lenox’s song of
the same man) features some sexy – if politically incorrect –
choreography, exceeded only by the highly politically incorrect
choreography offered by Timothy June’s Enlightenment, a hilarious
exploration of diversity and self-discovery danced to Shirley
Bassey’s I Am What I Am.
Stuart Coleman makes a bold choice for his Don’t Rain on My Parade
(performed by Barbra Streisand) by featuring a single dancer in red
(Aleksa Lukasiewicz), in a celebration of the simple joy a person
feels in declaring their own self-worth and freedom from expectations
(a celebration, Coleman says, that was inspired by the rush he felt
when singing Parade solo in a karaoke bar!) These are just some
examples of the many delights offered by each of Divas’ nine first
half performances.
In his remarks at
intermission, David Hochoy spoke about how proud he was of his young
dancers and how their work on Divas represents an important first
step in helping to preserve the legacy of modern dance. Divas
certainly offers an evening’s worth of entertainment, as it
celebrates the life and work of some of our most talented female
artists. But it also makes you wonder what the future holds – and
what works of art DK’s talented choreographers will one day create
– as they continue on their journey of self-discovery and channel
the artistic power of their own inner divas.
*Note* Dance Kaleidoscope will return with the performances:
April 1: Kaleidoscope of Dance Gala, The Westin, Indianapolis - Buy Tickets Online
April 6-9: DK & Friends, IRT - Buy Tickets
June 1-4: The Indianapolis Colts presents Dance is a Contact Sport, IRT - Buy Tickets
Images: Crowe's Eye Photography
Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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