"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (3rd review)

How do you solve a problem like the Nazis? (Well, you could try ignoring them)

With Fräulein Maria, choreographer Doug Elkins purports to radically deconstruct The Sound of Music. But how radical is it, really?

Judy Weightman

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (2nd review)

A hip-hop Sound of Music

Fraulein Maria is more than a terrific dance presentation; it's great theater as well. Choreographer Doug Elkins has achieved something truly unique by combining an iconic old musical with today's street movement and pure sass.

Janet Anderson

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (1st review)

How do you solve a problem like Maria? Or: Why didn't the nuns think of this?

When is a parody better than the original? When it's choreographer Doug Elkins spoofing The Sound of Music. His Fraulein Maria lets the movements of his gay, Asian and male Marias speak for itself.

Merilyn Jackson

Nov 14, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

Martha Clarke's "Garden of Earthly Delights'

One hour with Hieronymus Bosch

Last winter's revival of Martha Clarke's dance theater masterwork, Garden of Earthly Delights, freely adapted from Hieronymus Bosch's Renaissance triptych, was a work of astonishing beauty and rare erotic candor in its revival production, the first in more than 20 years.

Robert Zaller

Oct 25, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Thank You, Gregory' at Annenberg (2nd review)

In the steps of their forebears

Tap is a uniquely American dance form with black, Irish and street improvisation roots. But if you think tap dancing is a quaint relic from the past, think again. Thank You, Gregory, a fine piece of theater as well as an homage to tap dancing, literally wowed its audience.

Janet Anderson

Oct 13, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Thank You, Gregory' at Annenberg (1st review)

Fascinating rhythms, from Keeler to Hines

Thank You, Gregory successfully reaches both knowledgeable tap dance aficionados and novices who just want to be entertained. But why rely on video when there's so much live talent in the wings?

Judy Weightman

Oct 12, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

SCRAP's "Tide' at Live Arts Festival

A tide of bereft desolation

Myra Bazell and Madison Cario's apocalyptic Tide was danced with such energetic angst that it lost its creators' hopeful message of the potential for healing and a new consciousness.

Jonathan M. Stein

Oct 06, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

Dorner's "above under inbetween' at Live Arts Festival

Love me, love my table

The Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner brought his explorations of bodies in space indoors, presenting a slyly humorous work that suggested that we relate more closely to the objects in our domestic lives than we think. Above under inbetween. Compagnie Willi Dorner/ Live Arts festival production September 11-12, 2009 at ICE Box Projects Space, 1400 N. American St. 215.413.9006 or www.livearts-fringe.org/details.cfm?id=8370.

Jonathan M. Stein

Oct 05, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Merián Soto's "Postcards from the Woods' at Live Arts Festival

Bringing nature indoors

After cavorting outdoors for years, Merián Soto and her dedicated dancers enabled an indoor audience to experience a meditative connection to nature outside.

Jonathan M. Stein

Oct 02, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

"A.W.A.R.D. Show' at Live Arts Festival

Dancing for dollars

This year's Live Arts Festival went out on a limb by pitting 12 Philadelphia choreographers against each other for a $10,000 first prize. This gimmick boosted attendance and helped raise dance consciousness. But how does a popularity contest affect a collegial and creative community?

Jonathan M. Stein

Sep 22, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read