Bodiography ranges from folkoric to rock
Dance Review
Monday, February 23, 2009
By Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There is no doubt that movement matters in dance, whether it's the memorable shapes, a dense rhythmic thrust or a skilled use of technique. Choreographers can make all the difference.
Now in its seventh year, Bodiography Contemporary Ballet Company has gradually expanded its learning curve by bringing on guest choreographers, the better to develop new textures and phrasing.
But it was Tony-nominated Broadway and ballet veteran choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett who finally gave the company a substantial gift at Bodiography's "Innovation 2009" at the Byham Theater Saturday night. Filled with a series of Appalachian folk-like vignettes, this was a charming slice of life. Called "Heart Songs," there was an easy camaraderie among a collective of women, who might have shared gossip, sorrows and sunshine over the clotheslines in their backyards.
The cast of six demonstrated a resilient strength and found a new comfort zone in Taylor-Corbett's patchwork quilt of movement, making this work easy on the eyes and easy on the performers.
Artistic director Maria Caruso and Lauren Suflita followed with a memorial, "For My Father." Choreographed by former Bat-Dor dancer Ilana Suprun-Clyde, this relatively short duet also took good advantage of the dancers, who form the backbone of the company. Their synchronization within the deceptively simple steps formed deeply etched images.
Caruso finished with the latest in her series of rock ballets, a genre that has defined Bodiography up until this point. It was called "Something About Nothing," and drew upon the pearls of wisdom, works of art and simple solutions that often seem to materialize out of thin air.
It was a breakthrough for Caruso to begin developing her own concept independent of the music, in this case British psychedelic band Pink Floyd. But somehow the movement was static, as if confined to a small space, although Caruso topped it with angular, sometimes frantic arms that resembled semaphore signals.
Given the sometimes ponderous sounds of Pink Floyd and the deep-seated nature of rock in general, it would be wise for Caruso to design more low-slung, sweeping movements that cover the stage and take advantage of the natural expanse to be found in her own personal balletic style.
Former Post-Gazette critic Jane Vranish can be reached at jvranish1@comcast.net.
First published on February 23, 2009
Innovation 2007
Bodiography's "most successful effort to date"
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (February 6, 2007)
Read the full Post-Gazette Review.
Read the Previews from the Post-Gazette, Tribune-Review, and City Paper.
About Multiplicity (November 4 & 5, 2006 at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater):
"Bodiography's Multiplicity is, well, multiplying. Originally conceived as a choreographic showcase for members of the company, it has expanded its horizon to include guest artists of all genres, making what was an elementary experiment into...an entertaining event."
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (November 7, 2006)
Read the full Post-Gazette Review (please scroll down to Bodiography).
About Multiplicity (January 28 & 29, 2006 at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater):
"Bodiography's Multiplicity, which has become a January staple at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, has reaped dividends for Maria Caruso's young company. By offering her dancers the opportunity to choreograph, they develop their creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills in a professional setting."
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (January 31, 2006)
About Innovation (April 22 & 23, 2005, Byham Theater):
"Bodiography Contemporary Ballet's Maria Caruso...chose to move on the side of more classically oriented "Innovation" at the Byham Theater [where] an overriding sense of burgeoning maturity...indicates a step in the right direction."
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (April 26, 2005)
About Millennium Confusion (Nov. 18, 2004, Byham Theater):
"At some point, most ballet companies synthesize the classical form with contemporary styles of movement. But for Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, that fusion is just the beginning...[In Millennium Confusion] the pointe shoe became a tool to facilitate inventive shapes and unusual movement, the choreographic strength of artistic director Maria Caruso."
~ Mollie McClelland, for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (November 23, 2004)
About Rock of Ages - An '80s Revue (September 24, 2004, Antonian Theater, Carlow College):
"Caruso has gathered a...company that has latched on to her ebullient personality and charismatic stage presence...The resourceful Caruso designed two pas de deux for a pair of nonprofessionals, one a break dancer, the other a weight lifter."
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (September 28, 2004)
About Multiplicity (Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2004, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater):
"Maria Caruso set a fine task for her dancers"
"Lauren Suflita was most successful, choosing a piquant score by John Adams and simplified but structured movements suitable for pointe work."
"Caruso...conjured up more-than-welcome images of [Jerome] Robbins in Given, a delicate oriental duet"
~ Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dance critic (February 3, 2004)
Press on Bodiography Contemporary Ballet
April 15, 2008: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Scene from the Arts-burgh" >> article
April 8, 2008: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Dance Preview: Bodiography does Bach" >> article
April 4, 2006: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: Dance creator stresses spirituality's role" >> article
January 26, 2006: Pittsburgh City Paper
"Multiplier Effect" >> article
April 24, 2005: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Bodiography: Motion on the move" >> article
April 20, 2005: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: Bodiography seeks a new balance in new works" >> article
February 1, 2005: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Bodiography puts on the right moves" >> article
November 18, 2004: Pittsburgh City Paper
"Reviving the Present" >> article
March 13, 2004: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: 'Rock Ballet' recalls aches of the '80s" >> article
January 28, 2004: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Bodiography spotlights members' talents" >> article
January 27, 2004: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Short Takes: Bodiography" >> article (Note: please scroll down to "Bodiography" sub-heading after article is open)
October 15, 2003: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Dancers invite Pearl Jam to performance" >> article
October 14, 2003: Leader-Times
"Rural Valley native leads company in performance this week" >> article
October 14, 2003: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Short Takes: Living Successions" >> article (Note: please scroll down to "Living Successions" sub-heading after article is open)
May 16, 2003: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Bodiography prepares to offer teaser of 'Succession' piece" >> article
May 14, 2003: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: Independent choreographers take turn" >> article (Note: please scroll down to "Bodiography" sub-heading after article is open)
January 11, 2003: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: Bodiography debut mingles movement" >> article
January 9, 2003: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Bodiography continues its self-image mission with 'Envisage'" >> article
January 12, 2002: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Dance Preview: Bodiography takes steps to diversify look of dance" >> article
January 11, 2002: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Ballerina champions something unique - talent" >> article
July 30, 2001: Indiana Gazette
"Rural Valley native pours heart into unique dance company." >> article
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