Thursday, November 21, 1996
DANCE:
Music and dance mix sends audiences to another amazing worldBy
Cheryl Klein
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
From the moment the curtain parts to reveal the misty backdrop
of a cloud-covered moon and the hollow sounds of a lone flute begin
to wind through the air, the audience knows they have entered
another world.
This is the world of "Riverdance," a spectacular exposition of
one of Ireland’s less prominent art forms. Through Dec. 1 at the
Pantages Theatre, the troupe of singers, musicians and  most
notably  dancers will introduce Americans to Irish dance.
With a loose plot (the first act tackles such age old issues as
conquering nature and expressing spirituality while the second
focuses specifically on the 19th century mass migration to
America), audiences will undoubtedly enjoy what at first seems to
be a sneak peak into a world that is as magical as it is
foreign.
The dimly lit sets, filmy water-colored costumes (instead of the
trademark heavily jeweled dresses of traditional Irish dance) and
light-footed leaps of the dancers all add to the illusion of being
in a kind of underwater fairyland. The first few scenes, in their
praise of the natural elements and their haunting musical melodies,
are also reminiscent of Native American performances.
Yet right away it’s clear that certain elements of Irish dance
are like no other culture. For example, it may take Americans more
than a few scenes to get used to the fact that the dancer’s entire
upper body remains still in a majority of the numbers. With hands
clenched, arms straight and entire rows of feet moving in
fast-paced sync, the group reels are not about personal
expression.
Luckily, producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and the
rest of the creative team haven’t hesitated to add variety by
borrowing from other cultures. Both the pieces "Firedance" and
"Andalucia" warm things up as Spanish dancer Maria Pages moves
seductively to intense flamenco percussion.
The second act continues to integrate foreign influences as the
narrator details war and famine and the resulting immigration in
brief but poetic introductions to each scene. By far the greatest
treat of the evening is "Trading Taps," which takes place on the
poverty stricken streets of 19th-century New York. Here, Irish
immigrants make their first acquaintance with two young
African-American men (Tarik Winston and Daniel Wooten).
Winston and Wooten’s tap dancing is relaxed and jazzy and they
make fun of the Irish men’s tight-limbed, almost military style.
Similarly, the Irish are confused by these new dancers in a new
land, but soon both cultures begin to merge and the similarities in
the two dance forms seem as obvious as the differences. The piece
reminds us that in the mid-1800s both Irish- and African-Americans
shared the hardships of beginning poor and oppressed in the United
States. It also reminds us how much can be communicated through
dance.
"Morning in Macedonia" brings Russian influence to the
production as six members of the Moscow Folk Ballet Company perform
amazing acrobatic feats. A feeling of pure, enthused "wow" spreads
through the audience as viewers wonder (after watching one dancer’s
third side aerial), "Does gravity apply to these people?"
Though "Riverdance’s" group formations are impressive  as
dancers form circle upon circle and exhibit a kickline that would
make the Rockettes jealous  certain solo performances also
add to the patchwork of Irish culture. Eileen Ivers plays a mean
fiddle that gives celebratory Irish jigs a rock-and-roll flavor as
she moves about on stage and obviously has fun with her piece.
Bass-baritone Ivan Thomas sings the more somber "Heal Their
Hearts," a moving and mournful expression for the immigrants’
desire to feel at home in a new country. This song is one of
several that audience members will find themselves humming as they
exit the theater.
The most featured dance soloist is Jean Butler, whose elaborate
footwork makes Olympic figure skating look elementary. Her legs and
feet move so quickly that they almost appear to be liquid at times.
Her performance and the other numbers in "Riverdance" assure that
9-year-old girls everywhere will flock to sign up for Irish dancing
lessons and that the rest of America will gain a new understanding
of an ancient and intriguing culture.
DANCE: "Riverdance  The Show" will be at the Pantages
Theatre through Dec. 1. Tickets range from $46 to $66. For more
information, call (213) 468-1770.
MERLE FRIMARK ASSOCIATES
Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed celebration of Irish
dance, is playing at the Pantages Theatre through Dec. 1.