San Francisco Letter 26
San Francisco Ballet: Programs 6 and 7
by Rita Felciano
The two programs before San Francisco Ballet’s Season finale, “Don Quixote”, featured a world premiere each: Helgi Tomasson’s dry-as-bones “On Common Ground” and Matjash Mrozewski’s dexterous “Concordia.” Fortunately, Tomasson paired his problematic offspring with two charmers that more than earned their return, Julia Adam’s “Night”, her first SFB commission, and Agnes de Mille’s “Rodeo” — not quite as evergreen as it once was but still provides some jolly good entertainment. READ MORE
John Jasperse at DTW
by Susan Reiter
The supporting player in “Becky, Jodi and John” was a tiny motorized remote-control cart that whizzed onstage to deliver a laptop and other necessary props. Somehow, the charm and sweet poignant of the hour-long work managed to affect even this inanimate object, which seemed to acquire its own adorable personality. Named after its three performers — who share the same age, 43, and a mutual long, rich history amid the New York dance scene — “Becky, Jodi and John” was prompted by their shared friendship and an interest in examining the realities of dancing at their “advanced” age. READ MORE
Pitching Hay
by Ann Murphy
Deborah Hay is a hard one to catch. Years ago, she
used to roll into town, often in the summer, and have
a quiet interlude at Dancers Group/Footwork. She’d
offer a workshop. Give a performance. And slip away.
Appropriate to a performer whose work took the A out
of art and reclaimed the exalted in the ordinary, she
didn’t advertise much, if at all, as though you had to
be drawn to her by rumor, magnetism or chance. I’d see
a flyer, contemplate the moment, then I’d miss her,
and each time I felt regret. I’d seen a couple of her
group pieces, but long wondered what other kind of
treasure this choreographer-Zen-naturalist might
conjure. Now I know. READ MORE