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Rita Kohn
Performance Reviews
Modern/Contemporary
Indiana Repertory Theatre
United States
Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Dance Kaleidoscope finds Vigor in 'New Dimensions'

by Rita Kohn
October 24, 2013
Indiana Repertory Theatre
140 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635-5252
This review was originally published in NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis, IN.

Rita Kohn is a member of the Board of the Dance Critics Association.
Speed, strength and sensitivity linked three diverse works at Dance Kaleidoscope's remarkable 42nd Season opening program "New Dimensions".

Christopher Dolder's autobiographical "Riverboy" (2012) bristled with youthful energy as DK dancers individually and in groups engaged in derring-do and split-second clowning around gigantic and smaller inner tubes representing the feel of a river. The dancers sought acceptance, found first love and gleefully surrendered to singular drives to excel all to the music of Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma.

Butler student dancers created tableaus of massing bodies in the premiere of Cynthia Pratt's "The Whole Against the Sky" (2013). Pratt's flowingly sculptured choreography moved dancers into communal enlightenment with Valgeir Sigurðsson's equally architectural, driving sound composition as they sought affirmation of individuality and acceptance of "otherness". Kathleen Egan's long-skirted flowing costumes partnered in suffusing the work with ethereal qualities. One wonders if in the closing moments it would have ended more powerfully if the bodies had been moving into the light instead of being drenched by it.

The troupe's breathtaking vigor brought DK to a new level of interpretation of David Hochoy's choreography in "iconoGlass" (1998). Relentless rushing across a variety of landscapes propelled DK dancers through kaleidoscopic configurations in pursuit of "being in the moment" of Philip Glass's pulsating music as a metaphor for the fulfillment of passions driving our reason for being.
Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's 'iconoGlass'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's "iconoGlass". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.


Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's 'iconoGlass'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's "iconoGlass". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.


Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's 'iconoGlass'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's "iconoGlass". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.


Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's 'iconoGlass'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in David Hochoy's "iconoGlass". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.


Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in Christopher Dolder's 'Riverboy'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in Christopher Dolder's "Riverboy". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.


Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in Christopher Dolder's 'Riverboy'. Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

Dance Kaleidoscope dancers in Christopher Dolder's "Riverboy". Photo courtesy of Dance Kaleidoscope.

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