The rest of the music and the text comes from sources as varied as Arvo Pärt, Pergolesi, Joyce Carol Oates, Charles Mee, Jordi Savall, and Aeschylus. But far from a pastiche, the work impresses as an integrated whole. McCormick's broad vision takes full advantage of the company's large space, a converted tow truck warehouse by the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. The staging and music mixing (all by McCormick) are emotionally powerful, and the set, costumes and lighting are all top notch. But the heart of the show is McCormick's choreography and the agility and sensuality of his dancers. You do not need to be a dance aficionado to get swept up in these visions and sounds. The ovation the cast received at the end was fully deserved.
One might quibble with a few aspects of the production. Some psychological aspects of the myth of Paris and Helen get unnecessarily short shrift, given the sensitivity with which the show treats other parts of the story. Some of the dances in the second half, while beautiful and affecting in themselves, drag down the tale itself with their length and slowness. But these are easily dismissed amid the grand spectacle. Catch this show, it's something unique and special.
Presented by Company XIV Fridays and Saturdays through May 31 at 303 Bond St., Brooklyn. Tickets online at Smarttix or call (212) 868-4444.
Photos by Steven Schreiber. 1. (L-R) Cast members Samantha Ernst, Davon Rainey, Laura Careless and Yeva Glover. 2. The cast, with Toby Burns, top center. 3. (L-R) Cast members Gioia Marchese, Yeva Glover, Samantha Ernst, Laura Careless and Davon Rainey.
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