Review: NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER Delivers a Near-Perfect Evening at the Kennedy Center

There is something profound about the simple. Such is the driving force behind the Nederlands Dans Theater's (NDT) program currently playing at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Three shockingly different dances fill this two hour program and, while the dancers wrap themselves about in complex positions regularly, the emotions portrayed are always simple and translate brilliantly. Artistic Directors Paul Lightfoot and Sol León are to be commended for their diverse and cutting-edge selections.

The first piece moves the audience before the curtain even rises. Set to a Philip Glass piece, movement II from Tirol Concerto, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra elevates the orchestrations to great heights. Such highs are only complimented when the curtain rises to reveal a simplistic facade of a room interior. It could be any room anywhere, and thus the audience is transported to whatever location they have felt the longing portrayed throughout the number.

This selection, Shoot the Moon, is a testament to Paul Lightfoot and Sol León's capabilities as adept choreographers in addition to their abilities to direct this company. As dancers move briskly about the plain facade, two large screens hanging above the scenery come to life with a live feed of the dancers from wings in black-and-white. These shots are as integral to the piece as the physical dancers and add an intensity from brilliant closeups that is otherwise unattainable in a space as large as the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Lightfoot and León demonstrate an additional talent as well: set design. The simple facade is not all it seems as it rotates to reveal yet another room, as simply decorated in black-and-white wallpaper as the first. Each room holds its own stories, its own dancers that are yearning for connection. The five principal dancers (Myrthe van Opstal, Chloé Albaret, Marne van Opstal, Roger Van der Poel, and Jorge Nozal) move brilliantly together and, while the partnering changes several times, all possess immense chemistry with one another. Despite escalating difficulty with the moves, each is adroit at adapting to their new partners needs and execute each lift and extension almost flawlessly.

It is also important to note that the cameramen (Niels Mudde and Chuck Jones) do impressive work through the number. Each shot is well executed, steady, and precise. Their movements are just as beautiful as those of the dancers they are tasked with filming.

Explorations of power dynamics and relationships takes on a different meaning in NDT's second number, The Statement. Choreographed by Crystal Pite (an associate choreographer with NDT since 2008), the performance is a direct contrast to Shoot the Moon. Most jarringly, the dancers are not accompanied by music. Instead, they perform their routine to a dramatic scene written by Jonathon Young. Very little context is provided, but the four dancers are locked in a battle for control when it comes to whether to issue a statement regarding a recent tragedy.

There is much humor within the first half of the number and each performer (Rena Narumi, Aram Hasler, Jon Bond, and Roger Van der Poel) relish the fun of the number. Set around a large, ominous conference table designed by Jay Gower Taylor, the four maneuver around each other in a never-ending game of cat and mouse. Just when one of the performers seems to have gained the upper hand, there is something which pulls them back down.

The number becomes more sinister when Owen Belton's ominous music (mostly consisting of long, low tones like those in a horror movie soundtrack) begin to underscore the dialogue. As the number reaches its thrilling conclusion, lighting (beautifully done by Tom Visser) is crucial. Dancers illuminated understand information in this scene that those who are literally in the dark do not have. It is possible that you will never look at a conversation at your job the same way after witnessing this number.

Finally, and with incredible largesse, is Lightfoot and León's Singulière Odyssée. Whereas the first two numbers thrived on the intimate connection between a few dancers, this is the moment NDT demonstrates their ability to bring together a large company for a powerful performance. Set in a train station based on the Art Deco waiting room of Basel's Central Station, dancers come and go. Each one is another traveler who flits out of the scene just as quickly as they arrived.

Throughout the number, one character lingers in the station and observes those passing by. He seems to be searching for a way to connect with those moving so quickly around him. This longing for connection is only underscored by the moving music, Exiles, which has been composed specifically for this number. Because their work was so exhilarating, it is important to note all of the dancers by name: Marne van Opstal, Roger van der Poel, Meng-Ke Wu, Alice Godfrey, Yukino Takaura, Gregory Lau, César Faria Fernandes, Chloé Albaret, Spencer Dickhaus, Aram Hasler, and Myrthe van Opstal. Each dances with such power. Wednesday night's audience couldn't leap to their feet fast enough at the number's end.

It is so easy to be jaded when watching any performance. There is so much joy in finding the flaws and mistakes and knowing that you saw something that shouldn't have happened. You won't have any of those schadenfreude moments while watching NDT. Instead, you will be swept away to three unique places which will move you and make you think about how you connect with those around you.

Nederlands Dans Theater is at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Opera House until Friday, April 6. For tickets and information call (202) 467-4600 or click here.

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Sam Abney is a Washington, D.C. based arts professional. A native of Arizona, he has happily made D.C. his new home. Sam is a graduate from George Mason University with a degree in Communication and currently works for Arena Stage as a member of their Development team. He is a life-long lover of theater and is excited about sharing his passion with as many people as possible.

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