Ryan Wenzel is a dance writer and editor in New York. He blogs about ballet, modern, contemporary, and traditional dance at www.bodiesneverlie.com and edits the dance section of The Brooklyn Rail, a monthly journal of arts, culture, and politics. He has written about topics other than dance for publications including The Advocate, Details, Popular Photography, and American Photo. You can find him on Twitter at @BodiesNeverLie.
Under are the articles written for DanceTabs.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Trocks) – Program A, Laurencia Mixed bill – New York
…it’s that ambiguity in their performances — the tension between seriousness and satire — that makes the company such a joy to watch.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – new Kyle Abraham’s and others – New York
In many respects Abraham’s ‘Another Night’ is a typical Ailey work: its score is upbeat, its costumes are colorful and the dancing is fast and athletic.
Morphoses/Pontus Lidberg – Within (Labyrinth Within) – New York
Within (Labyrinth Within) is no masterpiece, but it presents exciting possibilities for contemporary ballet while avoiding the hyperextended steps and sexual clichés that muddy so much of the field.
Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca – Soledad and others – New York
Soledad Barrio makes every moment look improvised. You watch, you wait, and you hold your breath.
Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble – Carnival by Mark Morris, Rebirth – Pennsylvania
When it was announced that Mark Morris would choreograph a new piece for Philadelphia’s Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, the collaboration sounded promising.
Jonah Bokaer and Anthony McCall – ECLIPSE – New York
It’s easy to admire ECLIPSE for its moments of understated beauty, its modesty, its craft, and the quality of the dancing. Why, then, does it ultimately feel so cold and empty?
Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance – New York
…remarkable, offering a two-hour program of five diverse Indian dance styles, showing a balance of narrative and pure dance works, in an exciting mix of solos, duets, and ensemble performances. The quality of the dancing was high.
Smuin Ballet – Oh Inverted World, Soon These Two Worlds, Medea – New York
‘Oh, Inverted World’ is fun and fresh, and it proves McIntyre – who also leads his own company, the Trey McIntyre Project – to be a choreographer of many talents.
