Rock on to the big leagues

Philly Fringe 2018: The Rock School presents ‘Tango, Tarantella, and Tutus’

In
3 minute read
These students are poised for big things. (Photo courtesy of the Rock School.)
These students are poised for big things. (Photo courtesy of the Rock School.)

Tango, Tarantella and Tutus, this year’s Fringe Festival entry from the Rock School for Dance Education, offers a showcase for the dance stars of tomorrow. Performed in the school’s fifth-floor studio, it is an opportunity to see the skills of incredibly talented young dancers up close. The program included a variety of styles of movement and music.

The Rock School’s Fringe shows, which I have enjoyed for the past three years, stand out in a packed festival lineup thanks to their emphasis on ballet and the intimate setting that brings audiences face to face with the grace, athleticism, and enthusiasm of its young performers, many of whom appear ready to join a major dance company. Tango, Tarantella, and Tutus featured 22 short dances, of which all but two were solos, followed by a piece for 15 dancers performed by the Rock Ensemble.

Triple threat and speaking silence

Two dances for trios were among the highlights. Angel, Marcos, and Cesar Ramirez, triplets from Cuba studying together at the Rock School, opened the program with Telmo Moreira’s "Piazolla Trio." This piece was full of the showy physical feats professional dancers call tricks. The Ramirez brothers’ athletic jetés and pirouettes were balanced with poise and control that elevated this piece beyond a series of tricks into an actual dance. Later, Marcos Ramirez joined with Linyue Zhao and José Hurtado to dance Justin Allen’s "Beautiful Creatures," in which Zhao partnered well first with Hurtado for turning lifts and then with Ramirez for a balance perched upon his shoulder.

Allen choreographed more than a third of the work in Tango, Tarantella, and Tutus, and I admit that I rarely love his dances. What I do love is how Allen’s combinations, use of tempo, and blending of styles allow Rock School students of wide-ranging ages, levels of experience, body types, and strengths to shine in their own special ways. Kaeli Ware’s performance of Allen’s "In Silence We Speak" exemplified this. Ware moved seamlessly through a sequence of splits and back walkovers, kicking a leg so high behind her it touched the back of her head. It was a stunning performance of fluid beauty.

These young dancers stand out in a packed festival lineup. (Image courtesy of the Rock School.)
These young dancers stand out in a packed festival lineup. (Image courtesy of the Rock School.)

Diverse performances

Completely different but especially appealing were the classical dances with traditional choreography. Rena Takahashi’s "Kitri Act I" was a standout. Not only did Takahashi sail through demanding tour jetés, backbends, and complex footwork, but she also had the stage presence of a professional. Her calm, smiling face showed no signs of concentration or concern about the demands of the piece. Emily McAllister’s "Fairy Doll Variation" and Hurtado’s "Diana et Acteon" added to the classical delights with their respective pointe work and sky-high jumps.

Two dances choreographed by Colby Damon and performed by different dancers featured a repeated gesture that unnerved me: a young, female dancer placing a hand over her mouth. Though perhaps unintentional, it seemed inappropriate for students and struck a discordant note in light of this year’s #MeToo developments in the professional dance community.

Nevertheless, Tango, Tarantella, and Tutus was a joy to watch. It finished strong with "Incanto," a wonderful ensemble piece created by Allen. This visual treat offered dancers moving in groupings that shifted from twelve female dancers to three male dancers, and various other combinations. Memorable sections included those three male dancers taking turns rolling over each other’s backs and then pairing with Ellie Iannotti, Brooke Wilson, and Gabriela Gutierrez. Thanks to the skill and enthusiasm of the dancers and the expert training and guidance of their teachers, this Rock School performance gave the audience the chance to see tomorrow’s dance stars today.

What, When, Where

Tango, Tarantella, and Tutus. By the Rock School for Dance Education. September 22, 2018, at the Rock School, 1101 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia. (215) 551-7011 or therockschool.org.

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