BWW Reviews: Martha Graham MYTH and TRANSFORMATION

Martha Graham: MYTH AND TRANSFORMATION

On March 3, The Martha Graham Dance Company finished its season, entitled "Myth and Transformation," at the JoyceTheater. Since the company lost many of their costumes and sets to Hurricane Sandy, the great legacy Martha Graham-- that force of nature and company founder--created, has been tested. However, this year's engagement proved to be the gift that legacies are built on.

Sunday's performance began with the classic Cave of the Heart (1946), inspired by the Medea legend. The dance opens with the enigmatic and passionate dancer, Katherine Crockett, warning that there is danger afoot. It is evident that Medea, the powerful and scorned sorceress, chooses to use the destructive powers of love to destroy her rival. However, all her venom hits a brick wall when it comes to the protective shield that Jason, danced by Ben Shultz, provides for his lovely, vulnerable princess, danced by the delicate Iris Florentiny.

The performance belonged, deservedly, to Medea, Miki Orihara. Her lines were clear and distinct, her passion and rage terrifying. When they talk of a performance for the ages, this is definitely one of them.

Contemporary Italian choreographer, Luca Viggetti, offered From the Grammar of Dreams. Although I wasn't sure what the piece was about, I appreciated the phenomenal dancers performing it. Strangely enough I was reminded of my favorite Kung Fu movies, where opposing schools meet in the center of the street and compete with incredible feats of lyricism, power and strength. The five women--Peanut Chien-Pott, Mariya Dashkina Maddux, Blakely White McGuire, Xiaochuan Xie and Ying Xin--were equals in precision, strength and control. Tough women!

Elisa L. Kimble is a performing artist, freelance writer. In addition to writing for BroadwayWorld.com Elisa writes for Precious Times magazine as the music editor. Elisa enjoys using the lyricism, passion, commitment and discipline of a performing artist to expand to the written page.