Dance Reviews

May 16, 2006 - A fine UNR dance program strikes gold with Chicago's exciting Hubbard Street 2

By Jack Neal

Barbara Land, University of Nevada director of dance, has a formula for teaching and entertaining that strikes gold every time out.

Her formula?

Motivate students, then provide beautiful choreography they can do, do it to lovely music, costume and light elegantly, have no segment run too long; then - after intermission - bring in a fabulous professional company to knock audience members out of their seats.

Last weekend, Thursday (5/11/06) through Sunday (5/14/06), the Land formula again struck gold. A fine first half with dance outings such as "The Feeling Begins," (music by Peter Gabriel, choreography by Barbara Land), and "Da' Blues" (music by Ray Pizzi, choreography by Tara Rynders) were beautifully choreographed, then nicely danced by university students.

The two-segment tribute to the late Maggie Banks, former principal ballet dancer and Hollywood and ballet choreographer, was very special. "Friends" from "Copelia" (music by Delibes, choreography by Maggie Banks - restaged by Missy Hill), and "Suite from West Side Story," a film Maggie Banks helped choreograph (music by Leonard Bernstein, choreography by Jon Lehrer), would have at least touched the heart because they were offered in memoriam. But they were much more than merely touching, especially "West Side Story."

Jon Lehrer's choreography was gritty and unrestrained. Lehrer and Jack Failla danced a dance of violence and pathos inherent in the telling of "West Side Story." Suzi Erickson was Maria. Lehrer was Tony. The rapture envisioned by Jerome Robbins for the musical's first Broadway presentation was affectingly recreated by these two expressive dancers. Failla brought streetwise believability to his contributions for a wholly splendid presentation.

The Chicago based Hubbard Street 2 is an energized, athletic dance troupe of six that defies gravity for consistently difficult, muscular and aesthetically pleasing movement. One of the company's signature techniques is an incredibly flexible, rubbery looking use of legs at the knees, and arms at the elbows that throws caution to the winds for exciting, highly individualized dance. For those who don't believe that dance is the ultimate athletic experience, let them experience Hubbard Street 2. The company's athleticism is impressive.

UNR's dance concerts attract a wide range of students. It took awhile for some to become believers. Then the magic set in. As the evening wore on, casual attention turned to rapt attention, and finally to respect for being in shape that few teams, professional or amateur, come close to matching.

"Call the Whole Thing Off" was Hubbard Street 2's most charmed dance. Set to songs of George Gershwin, Sammy Cahn and Mose Allison, a couple living together for some time - Jessica Tong and William Cannon - never listen to what one another has to say. He talks (a constant barrage), while she dances. She talks (a constant barrage), while he dances. Droll and insightful, the dancing was wonderful, the concept terrific.

Barbara Land is assisted by Eduardo Armendizo. The lighting designs for the UNR segments were by Michael Fernbach.

The University of Nevada, Reno Spring Dance Concert featuring Hubbard Street 2 was presented at Nightingale Concert Hall on the UNR campus, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, May 11-13, 2006. For information about the UNR Department of Music and Dance call 775-784-6145 or go on line at unr.edu/cla/music. For information about Hubbard Street 2 go on line at hubbardstreetdance.com.