BWW Reviews: MALPASO DANCE COMPANY Makes Triumphant Return to the Joyce

Brave the wintery weather and see Malpaso Dance Company, now at the Joyce Theater through Sunday, March 8th. This extraordinary troupe of dancers is performing a captivating and stunning program consisting of two very individual pieces. Each one displays the incredible dance talent and inspired choreography that has become Malpaso's hallmark. After seeing them last year, I was anxious to return and so delighted that I did.

Based in Havana, Cuba, Malpaso Dance Company is committed to bringing Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st Century by collaborating with top international choreographers and nurturing new voices in Cuban choreography. The company's core artistic vision is led by resident repertory choreographer and artistic director Osnel Delgado. The company was founded in 2012 by Delgado, Dailedys Carrazana and Fernando Saéz, and consists of 10 dancers, including former members of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.

With this year's performance, the Joyce Theater is advancing its 13-year history of involvement with Cuba and its thriving dance community and provides a prominent venue for the company's performance.

This season, the Malpaso dancers are performing two New York City premieres. Their program opens with Under Fire, created by acclaimed American choreographer Trey McIntyre. It is an intimate portrait of renewal after destruction set to music by Grandma Kelsey, an Idaho-based singer/songwriter. These selections includes one of my favorites, "Jolene." And the music provides a variety of tempos for the inventive choreography. With costumes by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung and lighting by Al Crawford, Under Fire was co-commissioned by The Joyce Theater Foundation and Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival specifically for Malpaso Dance Company. The piece had its world premiere at the Marti Theater in Cuba in January 2015. Dance enthusiasts will love Under Fire. Sleek, intricate choreography is complimented by graceful acrobatics. The dancers' perfect syncopation make this piece flow beautifully.

After the intermission, the company's second piece is Despedida/Farewell inspired by Jorge Luis Borge's poem of the same name. The dance is choreographed by Artistic Director Osnel Delgado and set to an original score by Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American composer Arturo O'Farrill, who, along with the Afro Cuban Jazz Ensemble performs the music. The live music adds a very exciting element to the program. The lighting design by Al Crawford lends perfect touches to the piece and the costumes by Jeniffer Yanes truly compliment the dancers. Blending dance styles from contemporary ballet to capoeira, Despedida showcases the versatility of the troupe. In this piece the company works seamlessly to highlight individual dancers, duos and trios. And it is the intricacies of their interplay that makes Despedida wholly fascinating.

With outstanding individual performances by the company members, the Malpaso Dance Company creates a perfect collective. The dancers include, Dunia Acosta, Maria Karla Araujo, Isvel Bello, Randy Civico, Osnel Delgado, Beatriz Garcia, Tahimy Miranda, Joan Rodriguez, Daile Carrazao and Manuel Duran Calzado.

Malpaso Dance Company will be at The Joyce Theater from March 3 - 8, 2015. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday - Wednesday at 7:30pm; Thursday - Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; and Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm. Curtain Chat, a free post-performance talkback with members of the company, will take place on Wednesday, March 4. This enlightening discussion is open to all patrons attending that evening's performance. Tickets are $10-$59 ($26-$37 for Joyce members) and can be arranged by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. For more info, please visit www.Joyce.org.

Photo Credit: Lili Dosina

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