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Gathering for a continuation of the company’s 20th season, audience members filled about a third of White Recital Hall Friday night for Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company’s six-piece fall concert. The majority of the night’s selections displayed passionate, culturally inspired choreography, a routine feature of this company's performances. Ritual, Desire and Sha Tah Tee, all repeat works, fell into this genre and while it is a comfortable and successful style for the dancers, it also is somewhat exhausted and expected.

Ritual was a powerful, sensual duet between company favorites DeeAnna Hiett and Gavin Stewart. Arvo Pärt’s seductive composition combined with Amber Perkins’ slow, aesthetic choreography to create a true work of art. Stewart and Hiett showed off their sinewy bodies and controlled strength, offering up a bodybuilding exhibition as well as a dance performance. Stewart, who continues to improve each year, successfully combined might with finesse, making his hard work appear easy (though it obviously was not). Hiett’s movement was tense and harsh, but overall, the difficult pas de deux remained impressive.

Sha Tah Tee was initially engaging as the growing sound of wind filled the space and the dancers swayed in their brightly flowing costumes, but eventually the Middle Eastern rhythms and choreography became too repetitive. Although the dancers made great use of the stage with their full motions, they lost energy in the second half. In Gary Abbott’s Desire, the slower, animalistic partnering sections were well executed, while the quicker group sections were energetic and committed. Brittany Duskin stood out for her intensity and making the stylistic choreography appear natural and effortless. She also overcame what could have been a major costume mishap.

Mary Pat Henry’s Trains broke the aforementioned stereotype, narrating happenings before, during, and after World War II by focusing on trains. Beginning with a literal take on the mode of transportation, two large screens projected oncoming headlights as the dancers briskly walked in tan overcoats. They frequently checked the time, minded their own business, and anxiously looked down the tracks for the next train. The second section depicted a dark time where oppressed people were mistreated. The last part explored relationships between the tormented and their tormenters, examining what had changed and what had remained the same. The dancers exhibited deep emotions as powerful images of people affected by the war were projected on the screens. While the theme was inspiring, it was too complex and overlong.

Lonnie Davis’ three-part work Sweet Love was the least compelling of the program. Set to "Marry Me" by Train and two selections by Meshell Ndegeocello , three couples stumbled through the elementary contemporary choreography . Unity or chemistry was lacking among the six dancers.

Contrastingly, the most effective and refreshing segment of the evening came from Shapiro and Smith. In To Have and To Hold, four men and three women supported one another while also receiving support from three parallel benches. They operated as an entity, moving fluidly like rolling waves, catching one dancer’s fall and initiating another’s action. The piece was mainly slow and continuous, but also contained moments of urgency and precision. Feet could have been pointed harder and lines should have been stretched further, but the classically modern piece had a simple message and was well rehearsed and well performed.

Though not verbally announced in the course of the evening, Wylliams/Henry's written program contained some exciting announcements. While continuing to celebrate 20 years in Kansas City, WHCDC has established a second home in Atlanta, GA. The company has named Lonnie Davis, Jr. as the Co-Artistic Director of its Atlanta extension, which will present its first performance at the end of this month.

Wylliams/Henry will also be adding a legendary work to its repertoire soon, as Diversion of Angels by modern master Martha Graham will be featured in their fall concert next season

REVIEW
Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company
Fall 2011 Concert
Friday, September 30, 2011
James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, White Recital Hall
UMKC Campus
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit http://wylliams-henry.org 

Top Photo: Gavin Stewart and DeeAnna Hiett in Amber Perkins' Ritual

By Laura Vernaci

Dance Contributor

Laura Vernaci is a Kansas City native who has always been passionate about the arts, particularly dance. She began dance lessons at the young age of five and hasn't stopped since. She trained at the Kansas City Ballet where she became a serious dancer and learned about a professional company. 

She attended Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she majored in dance. She transferred to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO in 2006 and received a degree in Journalism in May 2008.  Laura spent the 2008-2009 in Duluth, MN dancing professionally for the Minnesota Ballet. She performed in productions such as, "The Nutcracker," "Cinderella" and "Coppelia" as well as world premier ballets created on the company.

She recently moved back to Kansas City and is excited to combine her experience in writing with her passion for dance. In addition to performing and writing, Laura also enjoys teaching dance and choreographing.

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