Backhausdance, led by Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus, opened its 20th season at the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater in Long Beach with a very strong program that featured works by choreographers Amanda Kay White, Ching Ching Wong, Tommie-Waheed Evans, and Backhaus. If you missed this performance, the program can soon be seen at L.A. Dance Project Studios on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Tickets and information will be available in March at the company’s website.
The first piece on the program, One Continuous Line (2019) was choreographed by Backhaus and dedicated to the memory of a wonderful dancer, teacher, choreographer and human being, Nancy Dickson-Lewis. The work was about one’s legacy and how dance is best passed along via dancer to dancer. During a pre-show talk, Backhaus told the audience how the first dance introduced would be the one with the most seniority and the last being the newest member of the company. Her work expressed a dancers joy of dancing and the learning of new movement.
Backhausdance – One Continuous Line (2019), Choreography by Jennifer Backhaus – Photo by Shawna Sarnowski
One Continuous Line was beautifully crafted and Kira Bartoli, Morgan Goodfellow, Sophia Lang, Kelly McGill, Katie Natwick, Kaitlin Regan, Samantha Waugh, and Amanda Kay White not only performed expertly, but appeared to be having a great time dancing this work – even during the section where the movement and the music became faster and faster which made the work’s epilogue-like ending even stronger.
The lovely costumes were by Jennifer Deck; the music included Conduit I, II, III by Robert Honstein; South Catalina by Christopher Cerrone, performed by Eighth Blackbird; and lighting that greatly enhanced the work was by Stacy Fireheart.
Backhausdance – The Emergent Self (2022) – Choreography by Amanda Kay White, associate artistic director, Backhausdance – Photo by Shawna Sarnowski
The Emergent Self was choreographed in 2022 by founding/current member and associate artistic director of Backhausdance, Amanda Kay White in collaboration with the dancers. White has created several site specific works for the company but this was her first proscenium theater piece. Set to music by Rival Consoles, The Emergent Self began with the cast gently swaying back and forth in silhouette before the lights came up and performers began breaking off from the group. It was a hint at white’s meaning of the work, finding one’s individuality while still remaining part of a whole.
The work needs to mature, but White has given the dancers a strong base to learn and expand their characters. I look forward to seeing it in a year or so once they have had time to grow. The cast of The Emergent Self included Kira Bartoli, Samuel DeAngelo, Katie Natwick, Adrien Padilla, Kaitlin Regan, Marco Vega, Samantha Waugh.
Fireheart’s lighting added greatly to the internal search and discovery of this work and the very appropriate costumes were by Elizabeth Cox.
Backhausdance – Fate and Fantasy (2022) – Choreography by Ching Ching Wong – Photo by Shawna Sarnowski
Following intermission, guest choreographer Ching Ching Wong’s intriguing and at times humorous Fate and Fantasy commissioned by Backhausdance in 2022 caused one to sit up, watch closely and later on ponder what one just saw. I personally love works like this that do not simply entertain, but move into the realm of thoughtful art.
Wong is a performer and creator who was born in Manila, raised in Los Angeles and currently rehearsal director for Ballets Jazz Montréal, and stager for choreographer Ihsan Rustem. In her preperformance video, Wong stated that Fate and Fantasy was pure 1991 Wheel of Fortune. Perhaps, but it is so much more. Her grandmother, who spoke no English, watched the daytime show religiously, and as part of Wong’s work, outtakes from Wheel of Fortune were projected on the back wall.
The abstract elements included two bright orange, headless torsos hanging stage right and a live microphone stand wrapped in tinsel usually seen as decoration for Christmas trees. There were two duets performed beautifully by Kira Bartoli, Samuel DeAngelo, Katie Natwick, Marco Vega. One couple wearing bright orange jackets appeared living in a kind of prize winning fantasy while the other was living the fate life handed them. The two intermingled, but never truly switched roles.
The Music for Fate and Fantasy was Tomaso Albinoni, soundscape samples from Wheel of Fortune, advertisements, and Santee Alley Market; Sound Design by Noelle Kayser; Video Editing: Kira Bartoli; Lighting Design: Stacy Fireheart; and Costume Design: Jennifer Deck.
Backhausdance – Everywhere, But Here (2022) – Choreography by Tommie-Waheed Evans – Photo by Shawna Sarnowski
Tommie-Waheed Evans is a queer black dance maker, born and raised in Los Angeles, California now living and working with his Philadelphia based company waheedworks. Evans is also a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. Closing out the program, Everywhere, But Here (2022) was commissioned by Backhausdance and Evans told us that it was about his dreams and difficulty about getting over a past love. It is an introspective work that explored this issue without fully resolving it.
The prominent character, performed with great insight by Samuel DeAngelo, leads the viewer through a maze of attempts at shifting his focus, changing old patterns and seeking to move past his current hangup on one person. Costumed in beautiful suits and jackets of varying reds, blues and greens, the cast excelled in this work with not only their dancing abilities but through their acting. It is a subject that most everyone can relate to and these dancers did just that.
The music included I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos; Under the Bridge (Less Beat, More Breathing); Departure – Emptyset; Robotron – Signal; Being Anne – Anne Müller; Immolare (First) – Sandwell District; and Malimo – Signal. Music Editing: Connor Lemmon; powerful lighting by Stacy Fireheart; and Costume Design by Elizabeth Cox.
The cast of Everywhere, But Here was Kira Bartoli, Samuel DeAngelo, João Ducci, Sophia Lang, Katie Natwick, Adrien Padilla, Kaitlin Regan, Marco Vega, Samantha Waugh, and Amanda Kay White, and Assistant to the Choreographer was Antonio Wright.
Every member of Backhausedance had something special to offer. Those whose presence stood out during the entire evening, however, were Kaitlin Regan, Samuel DeAngelo, Marco Vega, and Kira Bartoli.
In addition to their performance at L.A. Dance Project in April, the company’s Garden Flow 2023 residency and performances will be presented by Sherman Library and Gardens, in Corona del Mar. The residency begins on Thursday, March 30th with performances on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30th. Bonus opportunity: Community Class. For information and tickets please click HERE.
For more information on Backhausdance, please visit their website.
To learn more about the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, please click HERE.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Backhausdance in Jennifer Backhaus’ One Continuous Line – Photo: Jerry Li
