PTDC dances on but only through April 1st

Promethan Fire. Photo by Lois Greenfield

Missing spring with the Paul Taylor Dance Company is a little like not getting to see the blossoms in Central Park. There is always much to celebrate as PTDC brings spring to New York City. This year, it was the 50th anniversary of the seminal Taylor dance-piece "Aureole."

As you probably know, the Company moved to the David H. Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center and will be there through April 1. Here are some highlights from the NYC season:
"Syzygy" , defined in the program notes as "the configuration of three or more celestial bodies in a gravitational system," has a lot of verve. The party on stage frugs like it's 1987 as Michelle Fleet demurely balances on one leg, pointing the other as she twirls. Ms. Fleet then proves she can really cut loose as the syncopated music composed by Donald York for the dance piece. PTDC's "celestial bodies" glide and jump with ease, push and pull at each other, rise and fall and rise again.

"Company B" is a personal favorite, and at its absolute best when performed by any of the PTDC groups.

Rum and Coca-Cola from “Company B” performed by Taylor 2. Photo by Tom Caravaglia

Set during WWII, "Company B" to songs sung by The Andrews Sisters, gives us snippets from the homefront, with an occasional backdrop frieze depicting the warzone. It remains a light and airy paen to a bygone Americana despite these reminders that boys die in wars. James Samson's goofy Johnny is particularly endearing in "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" and Eran Bugge is wonderfully seductive in "Rum and Coca-Cola."

"Gossamer Gallants" enjoyed a New York City premiere (as did "The Uncommitted," -- see review on this site at "A Gala To Launch PTDC's Spring") or rather, New York City enjoyed it. "Gossamer Gallants" is an extremely funny look at the battle of the sexes. The "gallants" in question, wonderfully costumed by Santo Loquasto, are insects, whose "gossamer" wings flutter as the girl insects, clad in light green one-piece capris, came by. Ultimately, they are menaced and oppressed by the females they started out chasing. The females wiggle invitingly from their bottoms to their antenae, until the boys, and the audience, are enthralled.

The tango-esque "Piazzolla Caldera" is another treat from the canon. The dancers' posture framed for the rigorous demands of the tango, their steps forceful and assured, yet the choreography only emulates the Spanish dance but in a totally soul-satisfying way.

For more information about the Spring Season of PTDC, visit the David H. Koch events page or go to www.ptdc.org/nyc.

A Gala To Launch PTDC's Spring

Photo from Company B by Tom Caravaglia

It's always exhilirating to watch Paul Taylor's dancers going through their paces. The Paul Taylor Dance Company, even as it enters its fifty-fifth year, has that proverbial spring in their step. Propulsive dancing, and energetic movement is a signature of the PTDC style which now has 136 pieces in its repertory.

Aureole-- called "the white ballet" because of the stark costuming. Photo by Paul B Goode

This year PTDC is celebrating its debut at a new home at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theatre where it will perform through April 1st, and the 50th anniversary of "Aureole." It was on the program along with "Mercuric Tidings" from 1982 and the New York premiere of "The Uncommitted" for their Gala on March 15th.

"Aureole" was Paul Taylor's first great success, and a kind of blueprint for all the fun he would have in dancing and dance making. Its simple and stark costumes, all in white, (by George Tacet) belie the complexity of the piece. Set to excerpts by George Frederic Handel, "Aureole" offers the male soloist, Michael Trusnovec on this occasion, making the difficult executions seem deceptively easy and playful.

By the way, it is part of Paul Taylor's modus of creation to make expert and complicated moves seem merely playful. In "Aureole" he laid the groundwork for elements intrisic to his work, enfolding the balletic and classical into a modern dance. "Aureole" also overflows with irrepresible joy.

Joining the dancers, Mr. Trusnovec, Amy Young, Michelle Fleet, Francisco Graciano, and Heater McGinley, for bows after the "Aureole" performance, were their counterparts from the original cast, which included Elizabeth Walton and of course Paul Taylor, who had chosen the dance as his final performance in 1974.

Mercuric Tidings. Costumes by Santo Loquasto. Photo by Tom Caravaglia

Paul Taylor's Mercuric Tidings has the dancers leaping languidly into minuets, to music by Franz Schubert excerpted from the first and second Symphonies.

In the opening segment of the commissioned "The Uncommitted," solo dancers are substituted, each appearing from the cast of eleven, almost miraculously out of a rushing crowd. That crowd twirls in elegantly to replace each other for their solos while the curtains billow behind them--could these be the winds of change? Partnering in "The Uncommitted" doesn't seem joyous or celebratory. Movements are sometimes almost feral, occassionally submissive, at times aggressive. At one point a pair of dancers wrestle nastily while the scene behind them devolves into a brawl.

It is a decidely beautiful work, created in honor of PTDC Manager from 1962-68 Charles C. Reinhart, who was also the Director of the American Dance Festival from 1968 to 2011.

For a schedule of the programs in PTDC's spring season, visit www.ptdc.org. Tickets are available in person at the David H. Koch box office.

Celebrating 50 Years at PTDC

While on stage, the peripatetic Paul Taylor Dance Company always seems to be on the move. In fact, their modus vivendi is to practically fly off the stage, in continuous motion. So it may not seem like big news that they are on the move for the spring season.

Well, after celebrating many a spring at New York City Center, they will head up to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for their performances beginning this March. And they plan to make the 2012 season special.

The “white ballet,” Aureole. Photo © Paul B. Goode

To commemorate not just their move, but also the 50th anniversary of Paul Taylor's remarkable dance piece "Aureole," PTDC is staging a special performance on 13 March at the 1962 price of $3.50. These specially priced tickets went on sale beginning on 9 Jan. at the Koch Box office, online at www.ptdc.org/tickets.

"Aureole" is light and romantic, but has a meaty athleticism. Its luminous male solo part has been performed not only by generations of Taylor dancers, and in the original production by Paul Taylor himself, but also by both Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

“Aureole” is remarkable for the new ground it broke in connecting modern dance to the ballet.

Paul Taylor began creating “Aureole” in 1962, while the Company was based in Paris. Although, it was his 30th dance piece, it was his first major success, and a groundbreaking new work. "Aureole," has been considered the work that ushered in the Golden Age of dance.

In it Paul Taylor combined elements of ballet and modern dance in a way that is unique and unexpected. “Aureole,” has an innocence and simplicity that is both tender and soulful. It is also a perfect example of PT's style with its sweeping and soaring movements.

Unusual for the era in which it was created, “Aureole” is set to a Baroque score, excerpts of the Concerti Grossi by George Fredric Handel. "Aureole” has been dubbed his "white ballet" because the dancers are dressed entirely in white, in stark contrast to the lushness of the score and the fluidity of the dance.

See a performance of "Aureole" here.

The rest of the PTDC run, from 14 March to 1 April is at 2012 pricing. In the repertory for this spring, are three New York premieres, including “The Uncommitted.” Also there will be two much-anticipated revivals – “Junction” from 1961 and “House of Cards” from 1981. During the expanded three-week engagement., PTDC will hold its Annual Gala at the Koch on 15 March.

Master Chef Charlie Palmer of "Aureole" restaurant is getting into the festivities with a special pre-fixe menu from March 1 to April 1 on the ballet's theme, featuring a "Dance of Death" dessert and a "House of Joy" main course. There is even a vegetarian choice in honor of Gala Master of Ceremonies Alan Cummings on the bill of fare. (Click here to see more about Aureole New York.)

Pictured PTDC “Aureole” stars Michael Trusnovec and Amy Young with PTDC Gala Master of Ceremonies Alan Cumming at Aureole the restaurant with Executive Chef Marcus Ware.

Visit www.ptdc.org to learn more about Paul Taylor Dance Company.