Review: Twlya Tharp and Three Dances

The Joyce Presents: Twyla Tharp and Three Dances

By Jennifer Fried

Seasoned choreographer Twyla Tharp presents two classic pieces and one New York City premier for her 2016 summer season at the Joyce Theatre. Tharp's choreography ranges from intense to silly and playful blending classical ballet and modern lines with pedestrian movement. While at times her choreography does not clearly fit together into a coherent piece, the works present a clear vision of contemporary dance choreography in three distinct pieces.

First, Country Dances (1976) presented a contemporary dance vision of a Texas Dance Hall. The choreography, at times skimming over the music, blended quirky shakes across the body to elegant and graceful classical lines. Combining my favorite elements of contemporary dance: pedestrian and cultural dance steps reimagined in a classical vocabulary, Country Dances is quintessential American dance.

Next, the New York City premiere of Beethoven Opus 130. Elegant and mysterious without becoming baroque, Opus 130 most striking element was the elegant performance of Kaitlyn Gilliland's performance in a long and simplistic gown. Tharp intermixed several different duets, solos intermixed with whole ensemble phrases, which taken individually were exquisite. However, at times there appeared to be too much on stage, with too many elements layered over each other leaving the eye wondering from element to element without a resting place. Tharp's choreographic genius perhaps went too far in an attempt to put all of her ideas into one piece.

Finally Brahms Paganini (1980) concluded the evening. Opening the piece, Reed Tankersley performed an evocative solo. Never at rest, Tharp's choreography fit him like a glove as he flawlessly flowed from smooth to fast staccato movement. Within the second half of the piece, the relationships between the dancers shone through, with the dancers engaged in fun, playful, silly and at times rivalry relationships on stage. The piece's abstraction allowed the theatricality of the dancers to shine.

Never resting on her laurels, Tharp has a clear commitment and thirst to create new art. Always innovating, while remaining true to a coherent vision, Tharp's position as a leading force in the contemporary dance scene stands.

Photo Credit: timesunion.com

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