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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2007 > July > 24 > Entry
Review: American Repertory Ensemble
It’s not a secret anymore: American Repertory Ensemble is no longer the hidden gem of Austin arts scene.
With ‘Lingo,’ which opened Friday at McCullough Theatre, the organization’s clever combination of live chamber music performed on stage with modern ballet proved that it had arrived: American Repertory Ensemble is what fans of spirited yet meticulously-presented dance and music programming can look forward to in the off season.
Co-artistic directors David Justin and Rob Deemer wisely served up a stylistically inclusive program. With its humorous, casual choreography, Yuri Zhukov’s lively ‘No Time Jazz’ started things off with a welcoming, entertaining tone.
Deemer, artistic director of music, premiered his valentine to Austin, ‘Hot, Crazy, Fun,’ Performed without any dance accompaniment it inventively captured the city’s eclectic personality through a series vivid musical images. Scored for a string trio and piano, the piece ricocheted from a rich, energetic jumble of tones to a dreamy, almost melancholic mood — a rich aural impression of a long summer afternoon. Also getting its first audience was Deemer’s ‘Memoirs,’ a peppery, dynamic piece for solo clarinet commissioned by Austin arts patron Pete Schnekkan for his wife Frances.
Dancers Christine Winkler and John Welker of Atlanta Ballet were riveting yet graceful in ‘Already Dusk,’ an introspective, abstract pas-de-deux set to the Brahms’ unusually syncopated F Major Cello Sonata, expressively performed by cellist Sara Nelson. Crystalline and gemlike, Balanchine’s ‘Duo Concertant’ was neatly danced by Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Kathi Martuza and Artur Sultanov. But the standout was violinist Leigh Mahoney deft handling of the complex Stravinksy score.
There was no mistaking that Justin’s ‘Ascendant’ brought it all together at the end. Danced to new music by jazz composer Dave Douglas — a tribute to Aaron Copland, commissioned by American Repertory Ensemble — the piece teased delightfully with a few quirky gestures layered on top of plenty of elegant athleticism and neat partner work. If with six dancers and six musicians, the stage seemed a bit busy at times that’s only because we’e too often used to the usual huge gap between ballet and music. With American Repertory Ensemble, it’s one big live energetic, entertaining jam.
—Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
‘Lingo’ continues 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at McCullough Theater, University of Texas campus, 23rd Street and Robert Dedman Drive. $12-$22. 477-6060.
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