Review: PARSONS DANCE-A Stunning and Exhilarating program at The Joyce Theater

Parsons Dance wowed the opening night audience at The Joyce Theater’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium on Wednesday 4/29. With a spirited program of new works and repertory favorites, you will want to get your tickets to enjoy the company’s abundant talents.  The good news for our readers is that performances will continue through May 10th. 

Parsons Dance is a NYC based contemporary company that is renowned globally.  It was founded in 1985 by Artistic Director, David Parsons and the Tony Award winning lighting director, Howell Binkley.  The company performs works selected from their eclectic repertory that consists of over 100 works created by David Parsons.

The current show at The Joyce Theater opened with the world premiere of Ludwig choreographed by David Parsons set to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. This finely tuned piece, danced by the full company, is contemporary dance at its best perfectly set to classical music.  Clad in bright costumes, the eight dancers demonstrated grace and energy imbued with just the right whimsical moments.

The second piece on the bill was the duet, Brothers that features ingenious choreography by David Parsons and Danel Ezralow.  Performed by two male dancers, Brothers is playful as it depicts many phases of the men’s relationship.  The dancers remarkable display of athleticism was a joy to behold as they danced in unison and individually, at times mirroring each other.

The program continued with the stunning world premiere of Do Not Go Gentle choreographed by Mayte Natalio with an original score by Daniel Kluger.  This work, performed by the full company, was ideal to showcase the diverse talents of the company. It starts gracefully, increases its pace, and bursts with energy.   

After a brief intermission, Fearless, a new work choreographed by Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington was performed by the full company to music by Daniel Kluger. The sleek, sassy dance is set to the song “Talk to Me” performed by Champion, Four Tet & Shrillex featuring Naisha.  This jazzy piece includes some impressive acrobatics and keeps you excited about what will be happening next on the stage!

The audience was then mesmerized by the iconic work, Caught.  We saw it performed by Megan Garcia Ziminski.  This demanding solo enjoys choreography by David Parsons and music by Robert Fripp.  Caught commences with the dancer in spotlights and continues with strobe light effects that create images of the dancer being suspended in midair. Caught is a one-of-a-kind dance piece.  

To round out the marvelous evening of dance, the program concluded with Nascimento Novo with choreography by David Parsons and music by Milton Nascmento.  It was a perfect finale, vibrant and colorful hightlighted by the dancers' sustained energy and the company’s treasured theatrical flair.  The piece was finely accompanied by rhythmic drumming live on stage. At one point the dancers spelled the word LOVE with their bodies, and all in the audience can surely agree, we love Parsons Dance.

A standing ovation for the Parsons Dance company.  The dancers include Megan Garcia Ziminski, Tea Perez, Joseph Cyranski, Justine Delus, Joanne Hwang, Emerson Earnshaw, Odin Brock, and Luke Biddinger.  The understudy is Gabrielle DiNizo.

We compliment the creative team for their great work that includes the following: Ludwig with lighting design by Christopher Chambers and costumes by Christine Darch; Brothers with lighting by Howell Binkley and costumes by Christine Darch; Do Not Go Gentle with lighting by Christopher Chambers and costumes by Marion Talon de la Rosa; Fearless with lighting by Christopher Chambers and costumes by Christine Darch; Caught with lighting concept by David Parsons, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and costumes by Judy Wirkula; and Nascimento Novo with lighting design by Howell Biinkley and costumes by Christine Darch.

In addition to this program of works, Parsons Dance will present a special Joyce Family Matinee on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 pm that will include Fearless, Caught, Nascimento Novo and three more works.

The Parsons Dance company enthralls dance enthusiasts and audience members that are new to the art of dance.  See them while you can at The Joyce and consider making the ticket a gift for moms and mom figures with Mother’s Day coming up. For more information on the company, please visit Parsons Dance.

The Joyce Theater’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street).  For more information and ticketing, please visit The Joyce Theater. 

Photo Credit: Rachel Neville