BWW Reviews: Peridance Capezio Center's Faculty Showcase

A diverse evening of dance, with pieces ranging from contemporary to classic jazz to hip hop, presented by Peridance Center's faculty, entertained an eager audience on Saturday evening, informing them of New York's vibrant and diverse dance scene.

The audience found themselves shrouded in a layer of fog as DoubleTake Dance, co-directed by Ashley Carter and Vanessa Martínez de Baños, emerged on the stage to perform MutatEvolution. In sultry and mysterious black and silver costumes, nine dancers moved with fierce carnal instinct. The choreography, a fusion of jazz, contemporary and modern elements, allowed the dancers to form an intense connection with the audience as they ran to the front row and growled at them. The audience yearned for more after the dancers exited.

Noteworthy was Breton Tyner-Bryan's number Un Tanguito Cualquiera, created in collaboration with Catherine Correa. The number, full of beautiful, awkward, sensual, and tense moments, told a clear and convincing story of two lovers who couldn't decide to be or not to be together. Heva, a piece by Korhan Basaran, followed a similar theme of two lovers moving through space and time. In contrast to Tyner,-Bryan's tense yet narrative movement was smooth, ebbing with flow, and loaded with innovative partner work.

Mortar, choreographed by Mike Esperanza, presented a distinct take on the contemporary dance genre. The music of Sigur Ros provided a percussive backdrop as the dancers moved with a natural impulse and spontaneity, usually found in improvised movement. Fierement, created by Marijke Eliasberg and Jana Hicks, showcased three dancers with a calm grace and ease performing a more European contemporary style, utilizing elements of modern dance and floor work. The dancers, moving with such serenity, appeared similar to falling water.

Another highlight of the show was Marlena Wolfe's Used, which filled every accent and count found in the music with sharp, athletic and fast paced movement, usually found in a jazz number. In a genre that is no longer considered chic, Wolfe created a piece with the same narrative entertainment value as classic jazz, but in a new and refreshing way. Dancers yearning to perform the energetic jazz of their youth, no longer prevalent on the concert stage, surely will be overflowed with happiness after seeing Wolfe's work.

The success of the show lay in the uniqueness of each piece. Other entertaining works include Joanna Numata's hip hop number, Diego Funes' theatrical lyrical solo danced by Eddie Gutierrez, Shelly Hutchinson's contemporary number, Brice Mousset's European contemporary fusion work Elle, Sue Samuel's Broadway jazz throwback, Anabella Lenzu's DanceDrama, and Yuki Hasegawa Azul Dance Theatre. An evening that was not to be missed.

Photo courtesy of DoubleTake Dance. Photographer Credit: Anjali Bhargava.

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