Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Becket, MA
through June 23, 2013
by Amy Meek
Jacob’s Pillow has begun another season filled with diverse,
thought-provoking dance companies and works. Dance Theatre of Harlem was the first to grace the Ted Shawn
Theatre for the summer. This
historical ballet company gave a varied performance showcasing a real blend of
styles. The weekend’s performances
also kicked off the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival, a collaboration between various
community venues celebrating African-American heritage and culture.
The first work, Agon,
showcased the neoclassical ballet style made famous by George Balanchine. This difficult piece was a combination
of solos, duets, trios, and quartets which interplayed with the music, creating
many classical shapes in a flurry of activity. This ensemble displayed a distinctive muscular energy,
which is not always seen in some traditional Balanchine dancers. The music by Igor Stravinsky highlighted
the complexity and sensuality of the choreography.
The Black Swan Pas de Deux was the second piece in the
program. This section from the
ballet Swan Lake is always a treat to
watch because of the exciting feats of technique from the male and female
dancer. Michaela Deprince and
Samuel Wilson were spot-on with their execution of the steps. Deprince finished the thirty-two
fouettes, which characterize the Black Swan’s solo, with ease. They also displayed artistry as well as
excellent technique.
The last two pieces, The Lark Ascending, choreographed by the famous Alvin Ailey, and Return, a work set to music by James Brown and Aretha
Franklin, further exemplified the range of the company’s repertoire. The first of these was filled with
beautiful movements, costumes and music, whereas the second piece was sassy and
and humorous. The Dance Theatre of
Harlem gave a wonderful performance and started out the Jacob’s Pillow season
with a bang!
