"Tharp!," a program featuring choreographer Twyla Tharp and her 14-member troupe, dazzled audience members for two performances this weekend at the Moore Theater in the Hopkins Center.
With their graceful pirouettes, stunning lifts and sensual dancing, "Tharp!" dancers seemed to ooze talent, while completing extremely physically-challenging choreography.
Tharp's newly-formed dance troupe fought a continuing battle between classicism and romanticism, ballet and modern dance, in premiering their three new works: "66," "Heroes" and "Sweet Fields."
"66," Tharp's interpretation of the fabled highway set to bachelor-pad music by Juan Garcia Esquivel and others, opened the performance. Denim costumes provided the audience with a slice of Americana on the open road.
The choreography successfully mixed humor while allowing dancers the freedom to smile and show their own unique personalities, which was a nice change from "traditional" more straightlaced dance companies.
"Heroes," a symphonic ballet by Phillip Glass based on music by David Bowie and Brian Eno, was ostensibly serious. Mystical dancing combined with wonderful arabesques, quasi-yoga postures and frenzied gestures took movement to the max.
Emotions ran high as Toshiko Oiwa hurled herself against the chests of a male trio, perhaps confronting the harsh world. As the sweat flew, Glass' music crescendoed into a relentless wall of sound, rattling the dancers into disappointment, terror, anger and resignation.
The third piece, "Sweet Fields," was a moving spiritual. White flowing costumes enhanced the choreography. Amazing flips took audience members' breath away, although at times the upbeat music seemed to clash with the somber mood of previous pieces.
"Tharp!" ended to thunderous applause from an enthusiastic audience. Overall, this performance was a breath of fresh air-- a marvelous gift to the dancing community courtesy of Tharp and her troupe.
