On Saturday, October 12, 2024, A.I.M By Kyle Abraham returned to The Carpenter Center in Long Beach and it was clear why. Since his company debuted in 2006, Kyle Abraham’s work has been sought after worldwide. He has not only created award winning works for A.I.M, but Abraham’s choreography has been commissioned by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The National Ballet of Cuba, New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor American Dance Company, The Royal Ballet, and many others.
Kyle Abraham – Photo by Carrie Schneider
In its West Coast premiere, Someday Soon began with eight dancers exploding onto the stage with a series of closely knit duets and the energy level never dropped until the fadeout at the end. A solo male is chased by a remote controlled bouquet of flowers which introduces an abundance of scenarios with multiple bouquets being sought after, thrown, volleyed for, and delivered with affection. The way Abraham managed to consolidate and create organized chaos with lines, unison phrases, duets or solos within groups was lusciously dizzying. The work brought several audiences members to their feet and more was definitely desired.
The stunning cast of Someday Soon were Jamaal Bowman, Amari Frazier, Mykiah Goree, Faith Joy Mondesire, William Okajima, Donovan Reed, Keturah Stephen, and Gianna Theodore.
The warm and open lighting was designed by Dan Scully; Brandon Blackwood’s costumes were spot on for the often playfulness of this work; the music was by Quaba Venza Ernest; and the props were designed by Karin White.
The only thing wrong with Abraham’s piece titled Grey was that it was too short to get enough of the exquisite dancing by Keturah Stephen, which outshone the gorgeous yellow and orange costume and equaled the iconic voice of Etta James. It is rare when a performer’s stage presence travels out into the audience before she/he has moved a muscle. Stephen is one such performer.
Abraham’s movement matches but does not mimic the passion within James’ lyrics and the message of those words delivered by James’ voice. The entire passion behind the piece felt deeply rooted in black history.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in Rena Butler’s “Shell of A Shell of The Shell” – Photo by Alexander Diaz.
I definitely do not know, but 6 Lost Labors (World Premiere) is a mysterious piece choreographed by Paul Singh that could have been inspired by a family or historic portrait. The six characters are first seen posing together and Singh gives the viewer ample time to study their dress, faces and their statue before taking us through a series of trials of life. A man stands with his back to the audience, his hands clasped behind while a woman who desperately wants his attention moves around him. This is repeated with the genders reversed to show that anyone can experience unrequited love.
The highlight of this work is a group section where the characters’ movement is often instigated with their head or the focus of their faces as if searching for or reacting to unseen but feared forces. Because of Grier Coleman’s period costumes, I was taken back into the late 1800s and early 1900s Jim Crow era in the south. A period of national disgrace, and unfortunately where some want us to return to today.
The work ends with the same pose only this time seen from the back as if we had just had a brief glimpse into the backstory of those six individuals.
6 Lost Labors, commissioned by The Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Executive Director Megan Kline Crocket, is a haunting narrative that was greatly enhanced by the incredible dancing, the imaginative music score and the atmospheric lighting by Dan Scully.
The cast included Jamaal Bowman, Amari Frazier, Faith Joy Mondesire, Donovan Reed, Keturah Stephen, and Gianna Theordore.
The West Coast premiere of Rena Butler’s Shell of A Shell of The Shell had beautiful moments such as the gorgeous and intense duet performed by William Okajima and Olivera Wang but overall it was disappointing choreographically. The dancers were all dressed alike in white baggy shorts and halter-like tops designed by Fritz Masten. Each individual section displayed Abraham’s talent for structure but for this viewer the work simply did not go anywhere while recycling older movement ideas. Perhaps it needs time to mature and grow.
Fortunately, the evening ended with Abraham’s exciting solo Show Pony performed to perfection by Donovan Reed. With a very apt title, Show Pony displays Reed’s talents while bringing a smile to one’s face with a tinge of camp.
The Lighting Design by Dan Scully and the Costume Design by Fritz Masten.
I look forward to A.I.M by Kyle Abraham returning to The Carpenter Center soon.
For more information about Kyle Abraham, please visit their website.
To learn more about the season at The Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in Rena Butler’s Shell of A Shell of The Shell – Photo by Alexander Diaz.
