Miami City Ballet. From Jan 11th through Jan 27th, 2008.
Following the workings of her Sinatra-inspired duo, and in the wake of her investigation of the methods of turn-of-the-century exhibition / ballroom dancing for the movie Ragtime, renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp created her Nine Sinatra Songs. Each one of the songs she has chosen – seven duets and two recapitulation dances – has its own musical and dance / theater character.
The basic unit of each dancing couple includes Tharp's reinforcement of the traditional ballroom unit, which is upscaled by the active participation of the female dancer. The opener is based on the theme of infatuation, the next Tharp has characterized as a "bastardized Tango." Another was not based on any particular dance form, but showed a "close" couple in late night, knowing rapport. After a re-gathering of all the "characters" involved, a new dancing couple lends tart, comic relief. Unhurried and unshowy glamour bathes the next dance, while the next, couldn't be showier.
This duo plays it straight, fast, front and center, in the manner of actual ballroom competition entrants. The capstone couple is one engrossed in a battle of wits and maneuvers. They play it hot, hard and furious, each giving as hard as he or she gets. The final swell is a repeat of "My Way," recorded later than the first recapitulation's "My Way" accompaniment. The dance has become a wildly popular Tharp classic, presenting its view of 1950s social dancing through the nostalgic and yet sharpened eyes of the 1980s. Oscar de la Renta's dresses and tuxes flash with a similar double edge of present and previous ages.
The Nine Sitratra Songs performances will take place at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and Broward Center for the Performing Arts starting January 11th and continuing throughout the following weekends.
For more information, please call: 305.929.7010
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