BWW Reviews: FrenetiCore's DANCING WITH THE MACHINE is Powerfully Captivating

FrenetiCore Dance enthralls audiences with its energetic Spring Production of DANCING WITH THE MACHINE. As a full two act performance complete with narration, it pits technological advancement and awareness against a world known in eras past without either as distractions. Written by Adam Castaneda, the story transports the audience to a dystopian post-apocalyptic world. It is in this world where the governing entity desires to stamp out the last known freedoms and choice in society. There is one that can save them. A young women journeys across the lands in search for something that is lost to her. Along the way she encounters the key elements of tenacity, joy, endurance and love that will aid in her plight to save mankind's freedom.

DANCING WITH THE MACHINE is set against the dynamically arresting music of Graham Reynold's The Difference Engine. The production's music, at times combined with a smattering of other artists, is bold, mystical and truly enchanting. With the aid of a speaker box narrator and visual film clips in the background, the dancers are more than equipped to lead the audience through another world, another life, past or future.

Choreography by company Artistic Director Rebecca French is sensational. Combining gestures, rhythmic footwork and raw expressive movements, French creates a contemporary mélange that includes modern, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop techniques. The choreography takes its movement quality and blends robust style, strength and elegance. The dancers put their talents on display and season the choreography with attitude and a smooth kinetic quality that vibrates with confidence and electricity. The outcome is eloquently divine.

With a linear narrative, the story flows through many scenes, showcasing those who stand up for righteousness and aren't afraid to rebel. Some live and some die, but there are those who continue to prevail. Upholding the sense of theatricality and drama of the storyline, each movement across the stage floor is flooded with depth and insight to the performers' motivations. Throughout the many scenes, each characterization is brought to life with fascinating clarity and deft of the dancers' movements.

From scene to scene the mix of dancers onstage changes. There are solos, duets, corps and quartets yet each individual performance is impeccable. There is a rapid energy that flows between performers as some engage in dances that require balanced strength and restraint, as they bound around the stage. Others utilize delicate movements and evoke gentle tenderness. Kexeping themselves completely engaged there is not one who overpowers another.

Fluid, graceful and strong, Lauren Burke serves as the story's heroine Aida. Her stage presence is compelling. Armed with facial expressions and body language that are bold and unrelenting, her dancing embodies her character. It is spirited, free and full of life. She easily adapts to the different encounters of her journey.

As the dancers fight for their freedom and individuality, the steampunk atmosphere and costumes (by Ashley Horn) of the world onstage is most welcome. In true steampunk form, the entire mood of the performance goes against convention with creativity and the celebration of one's individuality.

DANCING WITH THE MACHINE is most satisfying and its cast of 13 is nothing short of breathtaking. The efforts of the artistic passion, rigor and expression are highly visible. The audience is transcended into a wild futuristic world where the war between good and evil wages as citizens stand up to oppression and fight the lapse into a world of regressed liberties. As the battle wages there is much joy in watching in watching the dancers overcome mankind's conformity.

Cast: Danielle Artis, Brenda Baez, Lauren Burke, Adam Castaneda, Dorianne Castillo, Rebecca Demotte, Rebecca French, Jaime Garcia, Carlos Guzman, Lauren Hurstell, Mollie Miller, Holly Moran, Lyric Williams

FrenetiCore Dance presents its 2015 spring show, Dancing with the Machine, on March 27-April 4 at Frenetic Theater. For tickets and more information visit www.freneticore.net.

Photo Credit: Pin Lim

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