Cleveland Fine Arts Examiner – GroundWorks Dance Theater puts on a great inaugural show at the Allen Theatre (Review)

By Mark Horning, Cleveland Fine Arts Examiner 

We should all go and welcome GroundWorks Dance Theater to their new home at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square. It is the intimate little theatre with the big stage that is just perfect for dance. It tonight’s performance is any indication; it looks to be a long and happy relationship.

The show started off with the requisite Avant garde piece that was not so much accompanied by music as by noise. “Allow” Choreographed by Amy Mille with Music by Alex Christie and Costumes by Janet Bolick with dancers Felise Bagley, Noelle Cotler, Damien Highfield and Gary Lenington is…”an exploration of chaos and split-second coherence that examines the ways we both permit and deny ourselves moments of attunement with others”. Although the dancing was superb, I found the ‘music’ a bit disconcerting; especially when what sounded like a typewriter played in rhythm came to the front. But, as I say, look past the sound and concentrate on the wonderful dancing.

After a slight pause, “My Hummingbird at the Highline” with choreography by Doug Elkins and costumes by Kristine L. Davies with dancers Felise Bagley, Noelle Cotler, Annika Sheaf, Damien Highfield and Gary Lenington was next on the bill. This was a delightful trip down memory lane. Old time rat pack ballads from Sammy Davis (A Lot of Living To Do), Dean Martin (Sway) and Frank Sinatra (I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with a sudden segue into Handel’s Acis and Galatea back to Frankie Valli (Beggin’) and finishing with Martha Wainwright’s (Dis Quand Reviendra Tu). Believe me it all worked! The dancing was light hearted and a joy to behold.

Following intermission was “Circadian” with choreography by David Shimotakahara, Music by Gustavo Aguilar and Costumes by David Shimotakahara with dancers Felise Bagley and Damien Highfield was a duet representing the rhythms associated with the earth’s rotational effect on our behavior. It is a dance of passion and love that deeply affected the audience.

Closing out this wonderful show was “Lights Up”, choreographed by David Shimotakahara with original live music from Guitarist Dan Wilson, Saxophonist Howie Smith and Percussionist Bill Ransom, costumes by Janet Bolick and Dancers Felise Bagley, Noelle Cotler, Annika Sheaf, Damien Highfield and Gary Lenington. This was truly the highlight of the night. It is a dance of energy, verve, great music, great moves and fun! The facial expressions and body language was just priceless as everyone began to catch on with the inside joke. It was the perfect way to end an exceptional show.

Special note should also be made of the exceptional lighting that was choreographed by Dennis Dugan and his team. It is right on the mark each and every time and does much to enhance the show in every way.

All in all it was an exceptional evening of dance with something for everyone’s taste. This is the mark of a great dance company that is not afraid to expand and attempt to please a variety of tastes. I easily give them five stars.
Now in its 13th season, GroundWorks was founded by Shimotakahara in 1998 and is dedicated to the development and presentation of new choreography and collaborations. The five-member Company performs new works by Shimotakahara and artistic assistant Amy Miller, as well as commissioned work by nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographers including Ronen Koresh, Dianne McIntyre, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Jill Sigman, Gina Gibney, David Parker and others.

GroundWorks Dance Theater’s performances are made possible with funding from The National Endowment for the Arts, The Ohio Arts Council, Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The Murphy Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, Cleveland City Dance, Individual Contributors, and Members of the GroundWorks Board of Trustees. The Akron/Summit Co. Public Library concerts are generously supported by the GAR Foundation, Akron Community Foundation and the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, the Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation and the Knight Foundation.