Author: Philip Gardner

Above: pianist Maki Namekawa, photo by Steven Pisano

~ Author: Oberon

Tuesday November 28th, 2023 – The long-awaited opening of Dancing With Glass at The Joyce: a program wherein several of Philip Glass’s études were performed by pianist Maki Namekawa; five of the études had been choreographed by prominent artists in the danceworld: Lucinda Childs, Chanon Judson of Urban Bush Women, Justin Peck of the New York City Ballet, Brazilian tap artist Leonardo Sandoval, and Los Angeles-based choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber.

A packed house, which included some luminaries of the NYC dance scene, seemed mesmerized both by the music and the dancing. Ms. Namekawa is a pianist with a special affinity for the works of contemporary composers; she played eleven of the études in the course of the evening, commencing with the spellbinding Etude #1. Her playing was remarkably clear, committed, and soul-filling.

The dancing commenced with a fabulous tap-dance setting of the 7th étude, choreographed by Leonardo Sandoval, who was tapping along with his mates Ana Tomioshi, Orlando Hernandez, and Lucas Santana (photo above by Steven Pisano). Noé Kains was onstage with the quartet, and he was dancing along when suddenly he stepped to the edge of the stage and eased his way down to the pit where he took over the keyboard and played the 7th étude to perfection. Meanwhile, his fellow tapsters – such gorgeous humans – continued to dance in sync, with brilliant solo moves etched into the choreography. An exhilarating start to the evening’s dancing.

Above: Bobbi Jene Smith, photo by Steven Pisano

Bobbi Jene Smith (co-choreographer of the memorable DEO for the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2019) and her husband Or Schraiber both choreographed and performed the familiar Etude #8. On a dusky, hazy stage, an anxious man and a moody woman take us thru various states of a romantic relationship. Each dressed all in black, with Ms. Smith’s luxuriant hair playing its own role, the dancers are hypnotic movers and shapers of phrase. Passion underscores everything: the wounded man is rejected, but – true to life – within seconds the couple are kissing again. Touches of humor are subtly woven in…and at the end, aggression turns to peace in the twinkling of an eye. The piece, marvelous in every way, made me think of so many evenings spent at home with my partner. 

Tall, lithe, and elegant in a sky-blue Josie Natori frock, Chanon Judson of Urban Bush Women (above, photo by Steven Pisano) took the stage for Etude #11. John Torres’ lighting – a major contribution to the evening’s pleasures – was especially perfect here. Ms. Judson danced with compelling authority and grace to the vividly dramatic music. Veering from madness to repose, this long-limbed goddess filled the space with her magnetic presence and riveting moves. Overcome by trembling, she is finally becalmed as the pulsating music fades to silence.

Justin Peck’s setting of Etude #6 brought a stunning performance from Patricia Delgado (above, photo by Steven Pisano); I had only seen Ms. Delgado once previously, when she appeared in a 2009 gala here in New York featuring many alumni from the School of American Ballet. In her Glass solo tonight, she was fascinating to watch. Clad in a black trouser outfit, she is seated in a chair at curtain-rise. The music’s fast staccati underscore her restlessness. She at times ventures a few steps from her chair, but always returns to this safe haven. As the music turns grand, her mental instability becomes palpable. Ms. Delgado is both a gorgeous mover and a subtle actress. At the end, unable to cope, the woman seeks to hide herself from the world under her chair.

Clad in white and looking like angels, dancers Caitlin Scranton and Kyle Gerry (above, photo by Steven Pisano) reveled in the flow of Lucinda Childs’ luminous choreography in Etude #18. Sometimes dancing side-by-side and at other times moving about the space with a sense of other-worldly beauty, the dancers perfectly embodied the lyricism of this particular Glass piece. 

Bringing the evening full circle, Ms. Namekawa played the last of the études: #20. This rather long work gave us a chance to reflect on the evening, whilst savouring the pianist’s poised musicality. As the applause commenced, all of the dancers appeared onstage to receive the audience’s wholehearted accolades. Ms. Namekawa then drew Philip Glass from his seat to the side of the piano, while the standing crowd hailed him with a joyous ovation.

All photos by Steven Pisano.

~ Oberon