Trisha Brown Dance Company

Wednesday, April 12, 2000

8pm

Michigan Daily

Jee Chang

Review

The Trisha Dance Company performed in the Power Center this Wednesday night. A leading choreographer in going into the 21st century, Brown has begun to redefine the possibilities of modern dance. She has initiated a revolution in the dance world, exploring with various movements and energies the body can release. Brown is the first woman to receive the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in choreography in addition to many other awards.

The Wednesday's performance consisted of two pieces, "Canto/Pianto" and "M.O." The theme was based on the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus loses the love of Eurydice from a snakebite on the day of her wedding. Once the news is brought to Orpheus, he ventures into the Underworld to save his love from death - in return, he is to not look at her until she is back on earth. On the way back to earth, Orpheus looks back to insure her presence, and once again loses Eurydice. Devastated, Orpheus is punished and put to death by the female followers of the god Bacchus for the rejection of all women.

In retelling this timeless myth, the Trisha Brown Company did an astonishing job of exhibiting the unique movements of the body. The dancers were graceful and passionate. They had a true essence of natural energy that originated from the depths of the inner soul. On the contrary, the symbolism was difficult to follow. Although the music was composed for the story line, it did little to compliment the choreography. The Baroque-style of harpsichord gave the performance a more light-hearted feel rather than that of a tragic love story.

On the whole, the unique modern-style of Brown was more than evident, although a bit hard to embrace. The effort that went into the performance was apparent and commendable. Dancers were elegant in style, with figures that revealed intense line and definition. Brown's choreography was full of innovative invention that was a privilege to watch.