Dance Review: Parsons' Remember Me, the Rock-Dance Opera

Described as a “rock-dance opera” with lead vocalists and music from the East Village Opera Company, David Parsons' Parsons Dance Company presents their Program A with an evening length work, REMEMBER ME, now being performed at The Joyce Theater for it’s second season. It’s an on-going trend to incorporate more live music into dance works and Parsons does an excellent job bringing in talented singers to belt re-imagined opera classics, opening the doorway to a younger audience for the company, while pleasing their long time fans with familiar opera melodies. Combined with Parsons' standard of amazing dancing, overall, this concept exceeds all expectations. As I page through the program, I love reading that commissioning support comes from a couple in honor and memory of their daughter. That just goes to show that supporting the arts can lead to a beautiful creation that is so powerful to those both watching and taking part.

The lead dancers of the show are Abby Silva Gavezzoli, as the beautiful and desired protagonist, Zac Hammer, as her handsome and sweet lover, and Miguel Quinnones, as the scorned antagonist struggling to get Gavezzoli for himself. This fantastic trio is very well cast. Everyone in the Parsons Dance Company are strong movers with a great understanding of musicality and staging, and the lead performers handsomely stand-out and shine.

Audiences are wowed by layers of lighting, both on the dancers as well as the projections behind them. I really like how Parsons uses video footage by sometimes projecting what’s happening on the stage behind the dancers, then sometimes, a mirrored image, and at other times, an image so slowed-down to the extreme it becomes very artistic. The creative use of lighting helps to change the landscape of The Joyce Theater and move the storyline forward.

Every time I see Parsons’ work I think how much I want him to choreograph the next movie musical. His choreography seems to fit with musical theater, and I could almost picture his dancers singing along to the movement. Parsons describes this style of choreography as “corn-ography.” He makes excellent use of his dancers abilities, which, much to our delight, gives way for the audience to see individuality in the dancers' movement.

Quinnones has a musculature that feeds his urban style of movement, making him the perfect one for his part as the rejected choice for the beautiful woman that everyone wants. He exudes frustration and embarrassment in his solo that features him rolling in an arched and vulnerable position on the floor next to the feet of singer Tyley Ross. I am very wowed by Gavezzoli’s principle dancer technique and expressiveness. She moves with ease through advanced partnering lifts and confidently dances solo when all eyes are on her.

I’m a huge fan of the way every dancer in Parsons Dance Company attacks each step with the kind of passion and virtuosity that would make me want to hire them if I saw them in an audition or class. Audiences will see signature moves that Parsons loves to throw in, especially one in which the dancers would lift their arms from their elbows creating a boxed frame around them that instantly catches the eye.

Parsons Dance lovers will never be disappointed when they see his works since the company always delivers with consistency energetic, inspired performances. During the post performance talk with Parsons, one of the audience members comments that she has never before felt all of her senses engaged the way she has tonight. Parsons says that he loves physicality and roller coasters of emotion.

To learn more about Parsons Dance and upcoming shows, visit www.parsonsdance.org.

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Jessica Shahinian
Performance: “Remember Me” Parsons Dance Company
Choreography: David Parsons
Venue: The Joyce Theater
Show Date: February 3, 2010
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