dirac Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Leigh Witchel makes his debut in The New York Post reviewing Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence, a Dance Company. "Grace" was made for the Alvin Ailey company a decade ago, and it's a change to see it transferred from the hard bodies of the Ailey dancers to the more ecumenical shapes of Brown's company. There were more rewards in the evening's dancing than the dances, but "Grace" is the most developed choreographically. It's a crowd-pleaser, and this crowd talked back, egging on the performers. Watching Brown dance his own work is fascinating: He's never in sync with the others (choreographers rarely are), but his loose dance style - rocking, jiving and putting a conversation and purpose into every step - lets you know what he's really up to. Link to comment
bart Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I love this insight about Brown as a choreographer dancing his own works. It's is WELL worth the price of admission. Watching Brown dance his own work is fascinating: He's never in sync with the others (choreographers rarely are), but his loose dance style - rocking, jiving and putting a conversation and purpose into every step - lets you know what he's really up to. Link to comment
carbro Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 The paper's founder, Alexander Hamilton, would be proud. Congrats to both the Post and Leigh! Link to comment
dirac Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 I'm sure the paper's current owner, Rupert Murdoch, is fine with it too..... It's an encouraging sign that the Post is continuing its dance coverage, especially with Leigh . I feared they would let it slip after the death of Clive Barnes. Link to comment
Petra Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Leigh, congrats. I've learned a lot about looking at ballet from your writing, and it's wonderful that a general audience will be exposed to your clear, erudite and generous voice. Link to comment
Ed Waffle Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wonderful! It may be an old media view of things but a critic's slot at a newspaper in New York City is very impressive. And they couldn't have chosen a better critic. Lovely that your work will be available to a new audience. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Amen to all! Many of us were afraid they'd ditch dance criticism after Clive Barnes' death and were holding our collective breath. Good to be able to breathe again, and to have someone who actually knows and cares a lot about dance AND is a good writer and critic is absolutely wonderful! Link to comment
leonid17 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Congratulations Leigh, its good to know that there is an independent and knowledgeable voice for dance once more at the Post. Link to comment
sandik Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Good for you! And good for the rest of us too. Link to comment
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