Jessica Lang Dance at the Annenberg

A troupe of 10 accomplished dancers approached Lang’s choreography with surgical precision, dancing with artful physical intellect and meticulous technical adeptness. While Lang’s vocabulary is visibly anchored in classical ballet with contemporary undertones, glimpses of the Forsythe aesthetic, intermingled with Cunningham and Taylor influences, were also present in Lang’s movement and choreographic vocabulary.

Sectioned by colors, Lines Cubed could have been a moving painting set against white lighting to illuminate the costumes that changed from black to red then yellow to blue. Designed by Lang, the set outlined the scrim and included accordion-fold partitions that, moved by the dancers, shrank and expanded to create temporal intimate spaces. The musical composition of John Metcalfe and Thomas Metcalf was the compass that guided the dancers on their adventure, which ended in a striking tableaux reminiscent of a three-dimensional sculpture.

Among the Stars

In Among the Stars, Laura Mead and Kirk Henning brought to life an intensely sensitive duet that used a piece of fabric as an emblematic barrier between the dancers. Lang’s musical sensibility shone as the technical soundness of the dancers paired with the soft quality and capricious tempo of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s melodic composition.

The second act opened with a stunning solo performed by the majestic Kana Kimura. Originally choreographed in 2006, The Calling revealed a softer, more gestural side of Lang’s choreographic lexicon. From the visual appeal of the dramatic white gown to the gentle waves of Kimura’s port de bras, Lang delivered a work of art that left the audience in an audible harmonious gasp.

Droplets of ink and water served as the backdrop to Lang’s evocative i.n.k., which was inspired by the work of Shinichi Maruyama. Although bordering on too-long, i.n.k. was a visually striking piece that became humorous when the dancers interacted with the images on the screen.

With an upcoming engagement in Istanbul, Lang’s Philadelphia debut was both a generous artistic offering and gratifying homecoming as she effectively blended forms, disciplines, and influences.