BWW Reviews: Steps Repertory Ensemble Captivates Audiences in NYC

Steps on Broadway has solidified itself as a staple in the New York dance community. As a part of "Celebrate Dance 2013", The Steps Repertory Ensemble captivated the audience with a series of six numbers, displaying versatility and a range of emotions in their variety. Performing April 18th through 20th at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, the resident dance company of the infamous Steps on Broadway commissioned internationally praised choreographers to help shape its program.

The performance opened with Le Moi Sauvage, choreographed by Manuel Vignouelle, in which one highlighted dancer is joined by groups of savage creatures as they partake in a seemingly ritualistic sequence of movements. At times, they move in exceptionally obscure ways, freezing only to distort their faces into strange and cruel expressions of inaudible screams. Inevitably, the entire ensemble becomes intertwined, bringing this beautiful piece to a head.

Hooked, performed second in the program and choreographed by Yesid Lopez, was a more traditional dance; a beautiful and sensual waltz performed by Yesid Lopez and Eila Valls in which their hands stayed connected as they flowed seamlessly across the stage.

Conversations, choreographed by Nathan Trice, featured the dancers as couples, using body language to tell a story. The couples move fluidly together and then apart, initiated by personal struggles.

The most theatrical piece of the evening was Chairs, choreographed by Zvi Gotheiner. In this piece, dancers utilized stiff wooden chairs as if they were a part of themselves - moving them ahead and then dragging them across the floor. Ultimately, two male dancers were locked in a graceful embrace, balancing atop a solitary chair. The piece was transformed with ease from high energy group numbers to individual showcases, ultimately ending in slow lingering moments.

A crowd favorite was Tit for Tat, choreographed by Rick and Jeff Kuperman, and featuring dancers Landes Dixon, Victor Larue, Gabriel Malo and Jeff Kuperman himself. An intense struggle ensued between the males as they confronted eachother in the space, often wrestling and backing away from one another out of uncertainty. This piece is tightly contained with the dancers, beginning by tentatively approaching each other with their hands in their pockets. In the end the piece resolves in the same way, echoing the sentiments of the beginning. The music accompanying the piece by Mark Korven created an eerie and realistic environment.

On Certainty was the final piece of the show, choreographed by Shannon Gillen. The dancers were able to individually showcase their precision and overall skill when the group would break apart and individuals would re-enter the stage in leaps and turns of high complexity.

The Steps Repertory Ensemble kept the audience engaged and wanting more. After showing six unique and dramatically different pieces, they solidified Steps on Broadway's reputation and showed how capable the ensemble truly is.

Photo Credit: Photographer: Jacqueline Medlock. Dancers: Gina Ianni and David Scarantino.

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