Review of Alvin Ailey’s 2007-2008 Dance Series

It was a crisp evening as the burgeoning crowd made its way toward the various concert halls that comprise the Orange County Performing Arts Center. I, also, found myself headed for Segerstrom Hall to see a few pieces from Alvin Ailey’s 2007-2008 dance series.

Sitting inside the hall, the many excited voices of the crowd echoed off the walls. The voices gradually hushed and the lights dimmed as the curtain rose. Two people, a man and a woman, stood together as a familiar Stevie Wonder song, “If It’s Magic,” came on. They moved slowly, expressing the sentiment of the music through their dance. Their movement was delicate and sacred, but there was also strength and grace. It was the perfect piece to begin the evening. The audience seemed to be awed by it, watching in silent wonder. However, with the end of the song came several more dancers and a whole new vibe. The music picked up and they all moved in a way that seemed to blend hip-hop, modern, and ballet. It was amazing to watch because they were strong, controlled, and obviously classically trained, but their interpretation of hip-hop seemed to blend the best of each world. I felt kind of antsy watching them and I really wanted to jump out of my chair and just start dancing with them. This piece was such a unique blend of genres and so energetic and exciting that I wished it would last the whole night. However, soon it was over and there was a short intermission.

The next piece, “Flowers,” was dramatic, dark, and sometimes comical as it took the audience through a hellish journey of drug addiction, loneliness, and fame gone awry. Chronicling the downfall of Janis Joplin, it’s a vivid and compelling journey of her demise. Needless to say, it cannot be called an uplifting piece. However, it is very well executed and engaging. The caricatures of the manipulative agent, the pushy drug dealer, and the clingy fame seekers all stand out and play their roles very well. Joplin is also well characterized. Cleverly choreographed and danced with spirit and vulnerability, we in the audience can feel Joplin’s pain and bliss. Particularly stunning is the moment in which we as the audience are taken into Joplin’s drug addled mind in order to experience a horrifying drug-induced hallucination. It really is a picture of hell with the loud, chaotic, screeching rock music emphasized by the swirling, dancing minions. All the while, Joplin trying to fight the hypnotic pull of the psychedelic trip, but ultimately succumbing, creating an experience of confusion, unhappiness, and utter darkness. Watching this piece, I could admire the skill of the dancers and the creative way in which the story was told, but this tale was not a jubilant one. At the closing, I found myself depressed, ill at ease, and hoped that the finale would leave my nerves in a better state.

Fortunately for me, the next piece was “Revelations,” which proved to be the best remedy for the overwhelming “Flowers.” Even if you’re not particularly religious, this piece gets under your skin and “takes you to church.” All dressed in white, ready for a baptismal, the dancers are buoyant, incredibly energetic, and emanate joy out of every pore. The music is soulful, deep, and joyous. Again, I was amazed by the skill of the dancers and their ability to blend classical training with theatrical movement and storytelling, without seeming like musical theater at all. It was all dance and the expression and feeling came from there. Halfway through, most of the audience was out of their seat, clapping their hands and smiling. It was really wonderful because it was a shared experience with the dancers and the audience. This was not just a dance that we watched and enjoyed, but we were a part of it.

Whether you are a dancer or not, I recommend seeing this show because it is an unforgettable and moving experience. Non-dancers will be surprised by how accessible the pieces are, on a personal level, while experienced dancers will be blown away by the choreography and technical skill involved. Alvin Ailey’s 2007 – 2008 dance series is truly an awesome experience that should not be missed.