“It’s hot,” is the first thing out of Kentaro Kikuchi’s
mouth once he has finished performing for Union Square’s Summer in the Square event. This is
stating the obvious – the stage is burning to the touch and sweat coats
performers and audience alike – but it cannot not be left unsaid. It is really, really, hot. But the show goes on.
Peridance Contemporary Dance Company performed work by Kristin Sudeikis, Sidra Bell and Igal
Perry last night for the audience gathered in Union Square. Judging from
the quickly growing number passerby who stopped to watch, the contemporary company
appeals to a wide array of people.
“The last show was really well received,” says Union in the Square event worker
Jennifer Terry of PCDC's previous performance in Union Square on July 12th. “People were asking when Peridance was coming
back” she says.
The show begins with Kristin Sudeikis’ I am you. Madison McPhail is onstage alone, but the whole
company is already performing as they stand to the side of the stage, their focus on Madison. Throughout the 40 minute show the dancers are present
whether onstage or not, and their commitment to one other is evident; Kentaro
and Midori Nonaka are in perfect unison in Sidra Bell's The Ungathered. Nikki Holck and Kentaro partner
with a solid trust that results in swirling turns and lifts. Leigh Lijoi and Zach Thomas exchange
private glances in Igal Perry’s El Amor Brujo
and the audience gets to feel like they are a part of the duet.
The sweat flies off of the dancers bodies like projectiles
now. It’s not getting any cooler and the sun isn’t setting fast enough. But if
the PCDC dancers are getting tired, it doesn’t show. And the audience just
keeps growing.
Sidra Bell’s The
Ungathered is all reaches and balances, a dance that yearns to extend
beyond the physical limits. But those limits that the dancers do reach are
extreme and exciting. Timothy Emmett Lee Ward balances in posse for so long, it
is like he does not believe in falling. Developpe’s a la seconde seem to
aim for the sky. The strength necessary for such movement is countered by the
graceful, performances of PCDC.
The dancers are naturally emotive, and they shift quickly between choreography that is hard and fast or slow, almost animalistic. Like yesterday’s rapidly changing weather (some later events had to be cancelled due to incoming storms) Peridance Contemporary Dance Company is able to perform highly dynamic work.
