Review: Show spotlights ‘Oklahoma's dancers of the future'

Published: October 26, 2007

"Centennial Dance Celebration: The Next 100 Years” introduced up-and-coming dancers, dance companies and choreographers at Stage Center on Saturday.

"These are Oklahoma's dancers of the future,” said Desiree LaVigne-Roan, danceXpress Oklahoma! artistic director.

Continuing favorites like the University of Central Oklahoma Kaleidoscope Dancers and the University of Oklahoma Oklahoma Festival Ballet and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma livened up the evening with the engaging "Girls Gone Wild West,” choreographed by Michelle Dexter from Perpetual Motion, the joyful "People Will Say We're In Love,” and "Ritual” choreographed by Mark Dendy, who choreographed "The Magic Flute,” directed by Julie Taymor.

The Metropolitan School of Dance, formerly Inner City Dance, presented the exuberant tap piece "Sun in the Morning.” The company's slogan is "Every Body has the right to dance!” – regardless of size.

DanceXpress Oklahoma!, the evening's host, presented "Two's Company,” with two young women from the company and guest James Williams from Ballet Oklahoma. In the cute story dance, Williams' character expressed the attitude that he could get either one of them. After he danced, the young women had spats over him. There was no winner.

The Prairie Dance Theatre Youth Company is an extension of the theater's involvement in the public schools. In "We Believe” the dancers said as they took their places, "We all need to join together so our children and our children's children will have something to view.” They skipped, rolled and partnered each other, and there seemed to be green grass under their feet.

The pre-professional company for 12- to 18-year-olds Western Oklahoma Ballet Theatre celebrated part of its 31st year with the crisp, clean contemporary ballet "Close Contact.” This and their other dances of the evening were a result of the company's Young Choreographer's Fall Showcase.

The cool tap "Nic Nak” was choreographed by Bill Evans, modern dancer and choreographer who is frequently an artist in residence at the University of Central Oklahoma. The young dancers of danceXpress Oklahoma! looked equally cool in white shirts tied across their chests, black leotards, and tan just-below-the-knee cutoffs.

Perpetual Motion, the only all-adult troop performing, was notable with its aerial dance "Bastis” choreographed by Kim Kieffer-Williams. Rebekah Hampton, Rebecca von Bargen and Williams climbed three double lengths of white fabric hung from the ceiling, and worked suspended from their single knots. The slow moves reminiscent of working a rope ended with the women impressively circling in unison above the stage.

Fusion Dance Company from DanceDimensions' "Terezinha” was a graceful and charming folk dance for beginning young women.

DanceXpress Oklahoma! closed the evening with the funny "Organized Chaos,” choreographed by LaVigne-Roan. The dancers, clad in brightly-colored, envelope-shaped bags of red, yellow and green, ambled around the stage before collapsing ridiculously into a radiating circle.

While most publicized dance performances are performed primarily by adult dancers, "Centennial Dance Celebration” was a highly entertaining showcase of young talent that showed promise of a bright future for dance in Oklahoma.

— Nancy Condit

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