“Gems” A Triptych by choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, for L.A. Dance Project, occupied The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith theater this past weekend Oct. 23rd though the 25th. This presentation was supported by “Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. Dance Reflections is guided by the values of creation, transmission and education. Its mission is to support artists and institutions in sharing choreographic heritage while encouraging new productions. Since its launch, Dance Reflections has supported numerous companies in their creations as well as multiple institutions in the presentation of their works on the international stage.”
L.A. Dance Project – Cortney Conovan and Clay Koonar in “Reflections” choreography by Benjamin Millepied – Photo by Skye Varga.
The program began with “Reflections” as choreographed by Millepied in 2013, in collaboration with 5 co-choreographers (listed below) which may help explain the inconsistent and overly busy movement. When the curtain rises, we are met with words in bold red stating “Stay thinking of me thinking of you” which covers the upstage drop and the stage floor. Designed by Barbara Kruger, this phrase gives one hope for an aching romance or a passionate life experience but only fleetingly do these moments come to the fore. Too often there is movement for the sake of movement with no clear point of view. The difficult piano score by David Lang expertly performed by Yanfeng “Tony” Bai, is a constant flow of notes with no particular mood or melody attached. It’s hard to tell which came first, the music or the choreography as one seems to follow the other in an endless loop.
L.A. Dance Project – Shu Kinouchi in “Reflections” choreography by Benjamin Millepied – Photo by Skye Varga.
The dancers are all competent but are given little emotion to work with. The actual steps fall into the contemporary ballet realm with all working barefoot and in loose clothing reminiscent of rehearsal wear. Lighting Designer Masha Tsimring adds color and energy to the stage.
Though this piece is broken up into several sections each meant to bring a new point of view, the music remains the same in tempo and feeling as does the choreography which becomes tedious in its’ constancy. There is no lack of staging as the dancers are whisked on and off stage when more than a hint of unison dance would have elevated the work. They are challenged with turns, jumps, extensions and lifts all of which they execute well but occasionally the choreography becomes clumsy as if there were too many cooks!
L.A. Dance Project in “Hearts and Arrows” choreography by Benjamin Millepied – Photo by Skye Varga.
“Hearts and Arrows” was the second offering of the night with Choreography by Millepied and music by Philip Glass. The music played live by expert musicians, Kailey Yun and Cheng LoLo on violin, Tom Mantel, viola and Tessa Nysetvold on cello, was an impeccable treat. The costumes by Janie Taylor were a vibrant black and white with checkered skirts and shorts bringing a lightness in mood to the stage. Upright lighting riggs designed by Liam Gillick, stand upstage like sentries on watch. Tsimring’s lighting again brings warmth and or starkness as needed. These effects nicely underscore the action on stage. Here the music has more lift and airiness and though it eventually falls into repetition, our attention is generally held. Millepied has added lyrical movement which is a relief to the senses but unfortunately, he cannot sit still for long and soon he is off and running with another sprint to the finish line. Again, working in a barefoot contemporary ballet genre, he rarely finds the long languid moments inherent in even the busiest of music. His dancers work hard to keep up with the incessant flow and though they do well everyone would benefit from a respite. Although created in 2014 one year after “Reflections,” this work does not vary enough nor does it challenge Millepied to break out of his apparent comfort zone.
L.A. Dance Project in “On The Other Side” choreography by Benjamin Millepied – Photo by Skye Varga.
After a second intermission we settle in for the final piece Millepied’s, “On the Other Side.” A gorgeous abstract art installation by visual artist Mark Bradford is the evocative backdrop. The music is again by Philip Glass and the lovely lighting is by the reliable, Tsimring. This Glass montage is far more accessible than previously heard on this night and is again beautifully played live by Yanfeng “Tony” Bai. The art work and the music combine to evoke an awareness of early fall just as autumn has begun its’ descent into Los Angeles. Millepied effectively uses several tableaus throughout as a surprising means of conjuring emotion. I have seen this done by the National Ballet of Madrid to great success, bringing the audience to unexpected tears and while this did not happen here with more investment in this idea, it just might. Presented in several sections the most successful by far was danced by Shu Kinouchi and Daphne Fernberger. Everything Millepied was hoping to create came together in this lovely and moving lovers adagio. Finally, we were allowed to feel the emotion of the dancers as they worked together in total synch. Time slowed to a sensuous pace allowing them to be more than dancers doing steps. This segment gave us an opportunity to see the deeper ability of Millepied without the distractions of constant movement. More of this focused work with music we feel in our bones, would go a long way in bringing the company to another level. A level it is capable of reaching if given the chance.
“Dance Reflections by Van Cleef and Arpels’ mission is to support artists and institutions in sharing choreographic heritage while encouraging new productions.” It is a tribute to L.A. Dance Project to be included in this rarified world.
The hardworking dancers not mentioned above were; Lorrin Brubaker, Courtney Conovan, Tom Guibaud, Robert Hoffer, Clay Koonar, Audrey Sides, Hope Spears, Noah Wang.
Additional Collaborators/Choreographers for “Reflections” were; Julia Eichten, Charlie Hodges, Morgan Ligo, Nathan Makolandra, Amanda Wells.
For more information about L.A. Dance Project, please visit their website.
For more information about The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, please visit their website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: L.A. Dance Project – Cortney Conova in “On The Other Side” choreography by Benjamin Millepied – Photo by Skye Varga.
