Theater Review: Dancing at the Eccles inspiring
“Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it’s not mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself,” said Havelock Ellis, literary critic.
Ririe-Woodbury’s performance at the Ellen Eccles Theatre Friday evening was a moving experience.
“I’m deeply inspired,” said Nathan Allen, a sophomore at Sky View High School. “I’m this close to becoming a dancer and that’s saying a lot because I don’t want to be a dancer.”
That’s OK; we’ll let the pros keep their job.
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is dedicated to furthering contemporary dance by creating and performing original and innovative works of the highest quality modern dance, and promoting the understanding of and appreciation for the art form of dance, in the belief that dance is for everybody, according to their Web site.
And they mean it.
“At first I was kind of taken aback at how weird it was – then I couldn’t look away. It was so intriguing,” said Devin Healy, a master’s student in psychology.
One of the most loved performances was a dance called “Noumenon,” in which two dancers had sacks over them and they moved simultaneously with the beat of the music.
“Somehow, embedded in ‘Noumenon’ is a new thought I had about dancing,” the late Alwin Niklasis said, ‘Noumenon’s’ choreographer.
In the dance, human forms were disguised by light and costumes.
“I didn’t want to work with dancers always in heat,” Niklasis said. “It really didn’t amuse me that much. Dance was the art of motion, not emotion. I convinced myself at the time that this was a new dance vision.”
Disguised or not, the dancers lived up to the dances.
Ririe-Woodbury is known to be at the forefront of contemporary dance. They travel nationally and internationally while receiving recognition and awards.
Jim Wheeler of Smithfield first saw their show in Chapola, N.C., and said they get around.
“This was fun. They’re a fine group,” he said.
He also was a fan of ‘Noumenon.’
“It was very cleaver. A cleaver use of the space,” he said.
Although the show was only an hour and a half long, it will be with us much longer.
For more information about performances, visit www.ririewwodbury.com or call (801)297-4241.
Amber Bailey is a senior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to acbailey@cc.usu.edu.