Los Angeles contemporary dance company BODYTRAFFIC concluded its tenure as Company In Residence at the Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts on Sat., Oct. 16th 2021. I was lucky enough to be present for the closing night of this extraordinary company. The Wallis as usual did it’s utmost to ensure the safety of all those in attendance. The packed house followed the mandated protocols of showing proof of vaccination or proof of a negative Covid test within the last 48 hours and the wearing of a properly fitted mask. Though it was a little nerve wracking to be in such close proximity to so many others it also felt great to be back in the theater, especially in the Bram Goldsmith Theater where there is not a bad seat in the house.
Starting off with a bang was Micaela Taylor’s “SNAP” with music by James Brown and extensive and inventive sound editing by SHOCKEY. Lead dancer Ty Morrison owned the stage from his first move to the last in a knockout energy busting tour de force. Meeting him all the way were the company dancers, Joseph Davis, Katie Garcia, Alana Jones, Lindsey Matheis and especially Tiare Keeno. Not an iota of rhythm, musical accent or sound bite within the track goes unnoticed by choreographer Taylor as she finds every nuance and melds it into the choreography and onto the dancers bodies. And these dancers can do it all from hip-hop to ballet and with masterful contemporary technique they have it covered. Taylor’s use of complex and continuous isolation movement, a nod to her hip hop background, brings energy and dimension to this dynamic work. Not only is the choreography executed with mind boggling precision it’s also full of humor, especially during the hilarious “interview” with James Brown. Taylor says this about her piece. “It urges audiences to “snap out of” social pressures to conform, and to connect with their individuality as well as with people around them.” By giving the audience an audacious, rambunctious respite from the tedium and difficulty of daily life she has done just that. Excellent Lighting Design is by Burke Wilmore and Costumes are by Kristina Marie Garnett – KAART KAART GALLERY.
BODYTRAFFIC, SNAP by Micaela Taylor (L – R) Tyeri Morrison, Alana Jones, Guzman Rosado, Tiare Keeno, Lindsey Matheis, Joan Rodriguez, Katie Garcia – Photo by Tomasz Rossa
Choreographer Ethan Colangelo premiered his new work at the Wallis in this performance weekend with “RECURRANCE.” The moody music and sound editing is by Travis Lake with relevant text written and spoken by Jayme Lawson. As the curtain rises we see a woman sitting on the back of a man as the voice over says, “Can you carry it all?” “Over and over and over?…” Colangelo seems to be asking if the burdens we carry are too much for our relationships to bear. This question is left unanswered in his work and because of that the dance itself feels nebulous. Though very well executed by dancers Paige Borowski and Pedro Garcia, at a certain point the connection to the audience is lost. Technically Colangelo is a well-versed and competent choreographer and the dancers do justice to the contemporary movement but a clear message is lacking and the piece loses its punch. Still there are moments of great beauty with sweeping lyrical movement and perfectly performed solos. This is the work of a very young and gifted choreographer on the precipice of a potentially brilliant career. Time will help him to develop his focus so that his steps will have a more powerful impact. Nice Lighting Design is by Michael Jarett and costumes are by Kristina Marie Garnett – KAART KAART GALLERY.
BODYTRAFFIC, Recurrence by Ethan Colangelo (L – R) Pedro Garcia, Paige Borowski – Photo by Tomasz Rossa
Hofesh Shecter is the extraordinary composer and choreographer of “DUST” a masterful work of stunning importance in this age of political upheaval. In our time of unparalleled consumerism, addiction to social media, religious extremists and strong men, we are all vulnerable to a cult of personality emerging as the new world leader. All of this is perfectly illustrated by Shecter’s grim view of what’s to come. Three women in red dresses dance hunched forward, heads down and eyes cast to the floor. In the background three men in loose fitting suits hunker down out of the spotlight. Shecter weaves his dancers through intricate patterns, highlighting soloists, trios and duos while always aware of the images he presents and infusing each move with meaning. The intricate and constant movement draws us in and we go along for the mesmerizing breakneck ride. The dancers move with ease through the demanding choreography dropping and rising with speed and alacrity while maintaining the rhythm at all times. Again the precision with which they work as a group is faultless. Shecter’s aim is to let us see that we can be led like sheep into the vortex of the politicizing of the social good. In this he is clear. In the eerie ending moments when soloist, Guzman Rosado removes his jacket to reveal a military shirt we know that the apocalypse is near. And so do the dancers who are slowly going mad in the distance. “Dust” is a must-see ingenious work of “Art.” Superb lighting by Chahine Yavroyan, enhances the action and creates a mood of trepidation. Costumes are by Linda Chow. The peerless dancers are Paige Borowski, Joseph Davis, Tiare Keeno, Lindsey Matheis, Joan Rodriguez and Guzmàn Rosado.
BODYTRAFFIC, Dust by Hofesh Shechter (L – R) Guzman Rosado- Photo by Tomasz Rossa
The final piece of the night is “PACOPEPEPLUTO” a palate cleansing pastiche by choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. Four male dancers each take a joyful solo to the swinging pop music of the 60’s while wearing nothing but a dance belt. Dancing for the fun of it was the intent and indeed a blast is had by all. This was the perfect way to end the night allowing the dancers to show off their brilliant technique and irrepressible love for what they do. Cerrudo has done a great job of combining contemporary jazz with a touch of musical theater and has honed these solos to each performers ability. The lack of clothing though momentarily distracting is superseded by awe for the gorgeous musculature that only a dancer, “the most supreme of athletes,” carries as an ode to the intense training it takes to be able to dance with carefree abandon. Lighting Design by Matthew Miller was exactly right, as were the costumes! The exceptional soloists were Joan Rodriquez, Pedro Garcia, Guzman Rosado and Joseph Davis. The very hip Music was “Memories Are Made Of This” by Joe Scalisi, “In The Chapel In The Moonlight” and “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin.
BODYTRAFFIC, PACOPEPEPLUTO by Alejandro Cerrudo – Joan Rodriguez – Photo by Tomasz Rossa
Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett has created a world-class company featuring the work of preeminent choreographers and top-flight dancers. BODYTRAFFIC is a company that should be seen by all who love dance. Kudos to the Wallis for recognizing the brilliance of BODYTRAFFIC and for bringing them to local audiences through their “Company In Residence” program. If this is the level of dance at the Wallis we should all look forward to what comes next.
To visit the BODYTRAFFIC website, click HERE.
To read more about what is happening at The Wallis, click HERE.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: BODYTRAFFIC – SNAP by choreographer Micaela Taylor – (L – R) Alana Jones, Katie Garcia, Joan Rodriguez, Lindsey Matheis, Tyeri Morrison, Tiare Keeno – Photo by Tomasz Rossa
