Recent arts coverage:
- Evolutionary biology. Aesthetic determinism. Live action role playing. The Rude Mechs are making a new play again
- Suburban battlefield: Women fight invisible foe in Amie Siegel’s ‘Black Moon’
- In eerie paintings by Ana Fernandez, a house isn’t just a house
More arts coverage | Follow this blog on Twitter @artsinaustin | Read recent arts reviews
Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2011 > February > 18 > Entry
Review: Chaddick Dance Theatre
Dance is often a natural platform for exploring human relationships, as its manifestation is as emotional as it is physical. Such was certainly the case Thursday at Chaddick Dance Theater’s “Tender Voices in Flight” at the Austin Ventures Studio Theater. Though the evening’s four pieces were created by three different choreographers, it was impossible to ignore the through-line of humanity.
“Exceptional Utopias” marked veteran choreographer Kate Warren’s first piece for Chaddick Dance Theater. Four women in black dresses perform partner work to string quartet Ethel, exploring those moments — those “utopias” — that make life worth living. Repeated leg extensions evoke elegance. In one moment, a trio lines up one behind the other, posing in arabesque with their legs stretched out at different heights. These women are clearly individuals, yet their lives are inextricably linked.
In artistic director Cheryl Chaddick’s “Ask No More,” projected images of voluptuous women in pre-Raphaelite paintings are contrasted with photos of modern women — namely skinny, angular supermodels, with a few images of Barbie thrown. The six dancers fly about the stage with total freedom of movement, as though they know they can choose to be whoever they want to be.
Largely set to the music of Czech violinist and singer Iva Bittova, the piece’s vivacious choreography matches the costumes, consisting of white circle cut skirts with tops in bright colors. A costume change introduces a precious segment. Donning white togas (Greek goddesses come to mind), four women move slowly and tenderly on and around a bench. They embrace each other, accepting one another wholeheartedly through a series of tableaus. They are a living, breathing image.
Two Left Feet’s “Films Are No Longer Silent (Smile, Even Though It’s Breaking…)” explores the silent film medium. The three dancers, portraying a husband, wife and maid, exquisitely capture what it means to act in a silent film. Their exaggerated body language and freakishly comical facial expressions make the scenes of domesticity a riot, as they scurry and scamper across the stage.
“The Exchange Quotient,” another piece by Chaddick, also calls for dancers with acting skills. The powerful, driving music, combined with the number’s extensive partner work, lays the groundwork for investigating the hottest of emotions: anger. Throughout, a sensation of push and pull takes us on our own personal journey, even as we watch what’s unfolding onstage. How do we deal with our anger? Do we cover our mouths, as some of the dancers do, and hold it in, only to suffer violent outbursts? Or do we release it for the world to see? “It’s just not ladylike or pretty to be angry,” says one dancer, who is clearly repeating what her mother has taught her.
One thing was evident by the end of the night: Chaddick Dance Theater’s women are multi-talented, capable of hitting the mark across the spectrum.
“Tender Voices in Flight” continues 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. www.chaddickdancetheater.com
Claire Christine Spera is an American-Statesman freelance arts critic.
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.