Sam's Review Club

Shoot the Moon . Photo by Rahi Rezvani. There is something profound about the simple. Such is the driving force behind the Nederlands Dans Theater’s (NDT) program currently playing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Three shockingly different dances fill this two hour program and, while the dancers wrap themselves about in complex positions regularly, the emotions portrayed are always simple and translate brilliantly. Artistic Directors Paul Lightfoot and Sol León are to be commended for their diverse and cutting-edge selections. The first piece moves the audience before the curtain even rises. Set to a Philip Glass piece, movement II from Tirol Concerto , the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra elevates the orchestrations to great heights. Such highs are only complimented when the curtain rises to reveal a simplistic facade of a room interior. It could be any room anywhere, and thus the audience is transported to whatever location they have felt the longi...

Dancers Lauren Stucko (senior) and Madison Brott (junior) beautifully dance the roles of Red Girl and Pink Girl in Lar Lubovich's  A Brahms Symphony. Photo by Tim Coburn George Mason University is a bit of a trek when discussing arts organizations in the DMV area. If Saturday night’s School of Dance Fête and Gala Concert is any indicator, then this trek is worth making. Celebrating the strides Mason’s (still young) dance program has made in recent years, the evening was a unique combination of educational panels and dance showcases. With four moving performances capping off the evening, Mason’s dance program cements itself as one to not be underestimated. Beginning the evening with the Dance Fête (meaning a celebration or festival) allowed the Mason faculty and students to better connect with their most ardent supporters. Multiple panel discussions were held to break down the upcoming performances on stage in a way which made those who may not have an extensive dance ...

Photo by: Susana Millman Don't be fooled by all of the bright colors. The Mark Morris Dance Group's (MMDG) newly commissioned Layla and Majnun , which opened last night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, lacks the necessary energy to elevate this tragic yet formulaic love story. It's evident from the start that all of the performers on stage are immensely talented, which is why the lack of cohesion throughout the evening becomes frustrating. A Persian love story that has previously been expressed mostly through poetry, Layla and Manjun is a story of star-crossed lovers akin to Romeo and Juliet . Despite growing up together as childhood sweethearts, Majnun is believed to be possessed by his love for Layla and the two are driven apart. Layla is then married off to another while Majnun becomes a hermit who writes lengthy verses about his immense love for her. Though the two attempt to meet later in life, they die without ever doing so. ...