Buglisi Foreman Dance at Citigroup
Now at the height of its power, the B/F company, under the artistic direction of Jacqulyn Buglisi, gave it's New Work Project Series #3 program at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, on May 1, 2006.
This group of young artists, continues to grow in technique, power, projection and insight. As a modern dance company, it continues in the tradition of Graham by choosing relevant subjects that require passion, or humor, pathos or an irreverent glance. Buglisi is the master of her choices, propelled by the obvious commitment and talent of her dancers, and resulting in meticulous presentations, stunning costumes and interesting music commissions.
This program opened with what has become her moving signature piece, "Requiem" (2002), a tribute to lost lives. Five mourning women, sitting, and later standing on blocks, in long, gorgeous costumes that drape, billow or embrace the dancers are in the colors of 17th century Italian paintings. Buglisi worked with costumer A. Christina Giannini and painter Debora Maché to form this arresting opening portrait. The music is Gabriel Fauré's "Requiem."
A touching "Sospiri" (1989) was performed by Virginie Victoire Mécène and Kevin Predmore, based on an 1848 tragedy in Argentina concerning Camila O'Gorman and her lover, Jesuit priest, Ladislav Gutierrez, who were hunted down and shot for their illicit love. Elgar's piece of the same title was the collaborating piece. Mécène continues to grow in artistry from her early performances in the B/F group in addition to her work in the Martha Graham Contemporary Dance Company.... wherever they may be.
The "new work" was performed by composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and danced by the company. Developed during the company's 2006 Creative Residency at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, it is energetic, but not yet stable. The after-intermission work, another Buglisi masterwork, "Against all Odds" (1998) was performed as a solo by Terese Capucilli, also a former Graham dancer. Once seen, this tribute remains in the mind's eye. It has been meticulously researched and powerfully articulated to the period of Bernhardt (1844-1923) in look, gesture and movement. The actual voice of the great actress is heard and almost seems to emanate from Capucilli herself. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #1, is the companion to the turbulence.
What finale could close this program? "Sand" (2001), with its sensational lifts and sound effects carries this reverential message about the elements, as it provides the entire cast involvement in this passionate premise to the 4th and 5th movements of Phillip Glass' String Quartet #5. The cast consists of Helen Hanson (a Meg Ryan look-alike), Jason Jordan, Marie Zvosec, Junichi Fukuda, Christina Marcus and Juan-Antonio Rodriguez. Jeanene Winston, Kyle Coffman, along with Lauren Sambataro are also strong members of the cast. For tour information, contact: 212-719-3301. If anyone has a $5M grant handy, this is the company that deserves it.