Dance Review: Pascal Rioult at The Joyce

Pascal Rioult’s company RIOULT presents the world premiere of The Great Mass at The Joyce Theater on Tuesday night at 7:30pm.  With choreography set to Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, Rioult risks a lot when he decides to choreograph to Mozart’s high-spirited work.   Rioult fails to disappoint.  His choreography is right on point with Mozart’s classical themes and exuberance.  The evening as a whole can best be described as a celebration of dance and the human spirit. 

For dance viewers who do not enjoy “pretty dancing,” they probably will not enjoy Pascal Rioult’s company.  Everyone in the company is a beautiful dancer.  The lines they make with their bodies are very classical, exuding a sense of never-ending length.   It is obvious that everyone in the company has had extensive ballet and modern dance training. 

Rioult’s choreography is a blend of classical Graham, Horton, and Taylor techniques combined with his own quirky personality.  The piece begins with the entire group on stage in a type of procession while Jane Sato pulls a white transparent drape across the rest of the dancers.  This white drape also serves as the backdrop for the entire performance.  When the backdrop of the stage turns red, it appears as if the stage has turned into an American flag because of the red from the lighted backdrop and the white stripes from the drape.   I found it interesting that when these red and white colors are introduced to the audience, the mood of the piece becomes desperate and morbid. 

The dancers are clumped together in a mass in the middle of the stage. They move separately, creating a popcorn effect of energy.  One dancer tries to break away from the mass, only to be swallowed up again by the rest of the group.  A compelling moment is at the end of this section when Charis Haines and Anastasia Soroczynski reach towards each other, their hands barely touching which is reminiscent of Michelangelo’s painting, The Creation of Adam.  Charis Haines shines throughout the performance, not only as a highly skilled technician, but also as an artist.  She combines beautiful grace and fluency of movement with a very charming and giving personality.   Another standout of the night is Robert Robinson.   Mr. Robinson’s notable physicality does not overpower his sense of purpose and commitment to Rioult’s choreography. His command of the stage and his utter joy of dance are constant throughout the night. 

The performance definitely ends on an uplifting and hopeful note.  At times morbid, the overall feel of The Great Mass is positive.  Rioult gives his dancers breath-taking choreography which allows them to show artistry as well as technique.  His choreography is what every dancer hopes to perform.

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Amanda Keller
Performance:  Rioult 
Choreographer:  Pascal Rioult 
Venue:  The Joyce Theater
Date:  Tuesday, April 16, 2009 at 7:30PM 
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