Philadanco marks 55th anniversary showcasing choreography by its longtime collaborators.
In celebration of Philadanco’s 55th anniversary, the renowned dance company welcomed back four prominent choreographers to showcase their work. Founder and artistic adviser Joan Myers Brown, alongside artistic director Kim Bears-Bailey, reached out to these choreographers to either revisit previous pieces or present new works for this milestone event.
The lineup featured Milton Myers and Christopher Huggins, both of whom opted to stage established works, while choreographers Tommie-Waheed Evans and Ray Mercer chose to create original pieces. Each of these works, filled with technical prowess and athleticism, posed a significant challenge to the dancers, many of whom performed in all four pieces without any intermissions.
The performance commenced with Myers’ Echoes: (A Celebration of Alvin Ailey), an established piece from 2000 set to the evocative music of John Adams. Known for its clean lines and aesthetic grace, this piece reflects the Horton technique of modern dance, a style embraced by the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey. However, the dancers appeared to navigate this challenging work with slightly less comfort compared to the newer pieces, occasionally resorting to unsteady hops to complete turns rather than staying poised on their toes.
Tommie-Waheed Evans, a former Philadanco dancer, premiered Promise Me You Won’t Call, which features the soulful music of Philadelphia’s own Patti LaBelle. Through visually striking blue costumes and an ethereal stage presence with fog, the piece explores themes of melancholy and longing, presenting a series of poignant dance partnerships and unexpected moments of elevation and catch between male and female dancers. The work culminates in a notably mystical act of disappearance that captivates the audience.
Ray Mercer’s The Dance You Dance, also a world premiere, brings original music from his frequent collaborator Bongi Duma. This piece celebrates a decade of Mercer’s contributions to Philadanco and presents a series of expressive vignettes devoid of a formal narrative. Notable moments include a duet featuring a dancer and a bench, alongside a dynamic sequence of rapid turns and leaps that demonstrate the dancers’ exceptional skill.
Lastly, Huggins’ Enemy Behind the Gates, a piece that has become synonymous with Philadanco’s identity since its inception in 2002, features dancers in military-style attire and pulsating music by Steve Reich. The choreography explores themes of trust and betrayal, resonating even more deeply in today’s sociopolitical context. Philadanco’s execution of this powerful work was nothing short of compelling.
Performances of this celebratory showcase took place at the Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center, offering tickets ranging from to . This program not only reflects Philadanco’s rich history but also its continuing commitment to pushing the boundaries of dance and performance. For more information, visit Media News Source.
