BWW Reviews: Ailey II is Charged with Energy and Panache

On March 18, 2015, I had the opportunity to see the dress rehearsal of Ailey II's program A at the Joyce Theater. This young company, under Troy Powell, Artistic Director, since July 1, 2012, only the 2nd director since this group was formed in 1974, was energized and fully loaded.

Dwight Rhoden's Hissy Fits, to music composed by Johan Sebastian Bach, asked the five couples to perform technically challenging choreography, combining classical, jazz and contemporary movements, while depicting the sometimes tumultuous and ambivalent relationships of human beings. Early in the piece, there are many chords and silences though which the dancers express themselves. The pas de deux were particularly interesting and, most often, beautifully danced. This difficult choreography did show, however, that a number of the dancers could use better control of their centers and lower legs (shins). Still, it is evident that these are budding professionals, some of whom will be exciting to watch as they grow.

From the opening solo, danced with relentless energy via many changes of levels through space, down to the floor - up and moving - to the floor and up again, French choreographer, Manuel Vignoulle's world premiere, Breakthrough, set to haunting music by Swedish composer Mikael Karlsson, never relinquished its hold on the audience. This piece is about people trying to break through the heavy weight of conventional behavior and morals in a world where feelings and emotions are prohibited for the sake of an illusory peace. The dancers never let go of the intent of the choreography and seemed to be perfectly suited to this particular style of movement, looking like fully formed professionals, which I attribute to marvelous coaching by Vignoulle.

Virtues, a work by Amy Hall Garner, to music by Karl Jenkins, closed the program with continued energetic dancing. Every note, however, was choreographed, letting up only briefly with the slow arm movements of a male soloist. This frenetic pace detracted somewhat from the impact of the marvelous explosiveness of the dancers. Before the conclusion of this piece, the full company of dancers seemed spent, although they carried on well, which was not unexpected after three high voltage works.

This program and program B will continue to play at the Joyce Theater

Photo credit: Eduardo Patino