BWW Reviews: Energetic, Intriguing, Surprising, SEAN CURRAN COMPANY Opens at The Joyce

Seán Curran Company opened its 15th Anniversary Season at The Joyce Theater on Tuesday and the audience was completely enthralled by the program. The show consists of two premiere pieces, Fireweather and Left Exit.

Fireweather is accompanied by Charles Wuorinen's composition for two pianos, "The Mission of Virgil," a ballet in seven parts. With inspiration from Dante's Inferno, the theme is realized in both the music and in Curran's intense, intricate series of dances for the ten member ensemble. Flawless solos and a perfect collective effort of the troupe are the hallmark of the piece. Among the seven sections, there are three where the dancers enter Limbo, creatively combine their forms as Monsters of the Prime, and Journey through the Center captivating the audience. Fireweather is filled with Curran's startling images that are signature to his works and it takes contemporary movement to new levels of versatility and style.

Also premiering at The Joyce is Left Exit (Faith Doubt, and Reason) to a score by Jerome Begin. It is a piece that explores the external need for spirituality, faith, and religion. Having a strict Catholic upbringing, Curran feels strongly connected to its theme. The piece was originally commissioned by University of Notre Dame's DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Left Exit opens with nine dancers representing different religious backgrounds, gracefully moving in perfect unison, and continues with a sequence of dances rich in variety. When Curran himself takes the stage to the recorded text of "Examined Life" we are reminded of the vivacity that he possesses as a dancer. Left Exit succeeds in using dance to closely examine our social conscience with a religious conversation and a discussion of the social model of disability. The costuming by Christina Bullard perfectly captures the spirit of the piece.

Marina Kennedy writes articles on performance venues for Broadwayworld.com and is a reporter and columnist for The Alternative Press.com. Her interest in dance and theater stems from the many years she owned and operated a dance school, "Dance Unlimited" in New Jersey in late 70's and 80's. She has maintained her deep interest in the arts and enjoys writing about performances in New York and New Jersey.