Spring Equinox- Courtesy of Scott Kinzie. Used with permission.
While attending a Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre concert one can expect that one’s world view will be expanded, due to the choreographer’s passion for work that celebrates not only various cultures around the globe but its music as well. “Spring Equinox,” which I witnessed Friday night at the Booth Tarkenton Civic Theatre at the Allied Center for the Performing Arts was no exception and reinforced what sets the GHDT’s artistic product from that of other local modern dance companies.
Spring Equinox- Courtesy of Vernon Jones. Used with permission.
The evening’s varied program consisted of five pieces, all of them choreographed by Gregory Glade Hancock. Act 1featured The Western Wall (1988), The Lady of Krakow 2025), and Contusion (1999). Act 2 included God’s Island (1988), Home, (an excerpt from There’s No Place Like Home), and LAGANN (2002). What they all had in common was that the choreography for each was effective in its story telling qualities. What they all shared was choreography that effectively conveyed the narrative elements.
A concert highlight was Lady of Krakow, a study on the nature of beauty, was inspired by a street performer in Poland and those who passed by. Joining the company member in this piece was soprano Ashley Nicole who sang excerpts from music by Andrew Lloyd Weber, Ennio Morricone, Giulio Caccini and Giacomo Puccini. Nicole demonstrated a voice with a notable tone and range, delivering a performance that stood out during the concert.
Spring Equinox – Courtesy of Vernon Jones. Used with permission.
Another piece, without narrative, that fully captured my attention was Conclusion, set to music by Joe Accaria, Blair Greenburg, Tony Lewis, and Werekimbi. Adding to the exotica of the abstract dance was the percussion music of Australia it was set to, furious, fast paced, potent movement and Hancock’s striking costumes inspired by Indigenous culture.
Thomas Mason, the sole male dancer in a mostly female company, excelled with his performance of There’s No Place Like Home. Hancock’s autobiographical creation is based on The Wizard of Oz. Mason showed a mix of grace and masculinity, combined with a distinctive musicality, that made him stand out as well.
Soring Equinox – Courtesy of Can Toksoy.. Used with permission.
Why only one male dancer in the company? It is a question I have often asked myself, so when an acquaintance greeted me during intermission to ask me if I knew why there are not more males if GHDT, I did not have an answer. In the meantime, I am left still wondering, myself, why the ratio of males to females is not more balanced? However, I wish to stress that the discrepancy certainly does not, in any way, compromise the quality of the product.
Another attraction of the inspiring and entertaining concert that celebrated the arrival of Spring, was multitalented Hancock’s beautifully designed and executed costumes as well as the lighting designs of Ryan Koharchik whose atmospheric creations proved to be of the highest caliber, imbuing the entire concert with a world class quality.
