Wednesday, September 23, 1987/The Battalion/Page 3
State and Local
<ker
Use of color, lights helps bring performances to life
> thinkofit,isakj
Jid at PILHeJ
ly convinced ft.; ;
of material weai
Modern dance troupe finds audience at A&M
By Tom Reinarts
Reviewer
v»The Nikolais Dance Theater per
formed a series of modern dance
i $172 million- mgces Tuesday night at Rudder Au-
networkand: ditorium in a show sponsored by the
ark. AndlesskaHc Opera and Performing Arts
■d to BakkerV Somety.
KThe pieces were choreographed
||d designed by Alwin Nikolais,
iceived notion?:; Nikolais has won several awards
n't promote for his works both in the United
Bes and abroad.
r , ..Bln 1985 he won the Samuel H.
jimote LnnsMSjppj American Dance Festival
eranysignol Award for lifetime contribution to
n the infighlii modern dance.
' l l. scandalh' i:
tainly hardtoiJfre dance group has been tour-
, when vou’rec n 8 ever y y ear since 1953 and has
—' "uairii >erformed a11 over the world - The
' ' urr< nt members are James Mur-
indude a 193 1
ihy, Alberto Del Saz, Paula Aarons,
ion home, fou: |pes Aarons, Sheila Lehner, Kay
( .tliforniaan bilerson, Sarah Hook, Meredith
( j Mercedes-ktege Manly, Sean Murphy, Spencer
, , »Iiaiols and Noel Reiss,
sn qui Q re g OI -y aru j fsikolais com-
10ns ot RollsK focd the music for the pieces,
ink the motiva ^hich could best be described as new
,nd the unthirqgeland industrial. Slow and quicker
lividual that were layered to accent the
s'Thatishere®™^ 9 ^- contained el-
discoveredi :mClUs j azz ’ and gymnas-
: lal windfall c
i and Tamravrl Color and lighting effects, which
:"re|uently changed from kinetic to
ink mavbenr
itati<. combined well with the chore-
agraphy to produce an interesting
pniorjouml ind enjoyable show. Viewers were
, n allowed to form their own impres-
Hs of the meanings for each seg-
mentof the performance.
M^^wHwfM&aning the evening was “Pond,”
a slow dance that incorporated circu-
laiflighting on the stage as well as on
th|eostumes.
Khe artists wheeled themselves
around on dollies to give them a
fluid motion that one might expect
eatures of the water,
he Mechanical Organ,” a duet
een two male company mem-
ts, followed and highlighted the
incredible balance and gymnastic
/ abilities of Murphy and DelSaz.
\ V\ “Velocities” created a kaleido
scope effect with lighting on the
dancers that at different times was in
the shape of circles, stripes and di
amonds. The dancers were arranged
with the use of black cloth hangings
on stage in a way that created a mir
ror effect among the artists.
The Final dance before the inter
mission was “Video Game,” a num
ber that included the use of black
lights and fluorescent costume col
ors.
“Video Game” was light-hearted
and bouncy and had the appearance
of the arcade game TRON.
“Graph” was the final perfor
mance of the evening, and was di
vided into Five sections. Throughout
this piece grid surfaces hanging
from the ceiling and drawn on the
stage itself were the central props
used.
The First part of “Graph” imple
mented a variety of bright colors in
the lighting and included most of
the cast members, as did the second.
Next was a duet performed by
Lehner and Del Saz that included
excellent timing and team work by
the two dancers. In another prefor-
mance, Lehner and Hook used glass
backdrops to assist in a piece that re
sembled the movements of the con
torted hands of a clock.
The Final segment of the evening
included the entire cast and was
done underneath a strobe light. The
dancers darted back and forth be
tween black boards that hid them
from the audience.
. P
most of simple geometric patterns.
Squares, circles, lines, rectangles and
grids of all types were visible
throughout the evening. The light
ing, the props and the dance chore
ography were all employed to create
the various shapes in a variety of in
teresting ways.
Audience members in the full au
ditorium appreciated the modern
and at times avante-garde perfor
mance, which was a treat for the eyes
land ears. Even those unnaccus-
jtomed to the unique style of modern
(dance seemed to enjoy themselves.
James Murphy and Alberto Del Saz dance to “The Mechanical Organ” during the Nikolais Dance Theater performance.
Photo by Robert IV. Rimmo
ave 17%-33%0n Sperf shirts.
Sweaters and Jackets
J
4
KG
r fan, track off*
* to the Corps-
• obnoxious
.SU student bo-
otbail gameoc! 1
Department of Speech Communication & Theatre Arts
Texas A&M University
Present
ie problems ar< :
?sent the vast
New Oversized and
"Washed-Look" Sport Shirts
Wear the newest "in" shirts from Shah Safari' and Pier
id supporter!' Connection ! 100% cotton in a huge selection of "washed"
ill of the TeXJ' I * ookSi stri pes, plaids and patterns - all in a fabulous color array.
h were very
iology
i length. The
but will make
gned and must »*
ter.
Shaker Sweaters By
Brittania" & Sard!
Save 20%-23% on your favorite sweater style! Great choice ot
colors in washable acrylic or cotton. Ideal over jeans or with
slacks & sportcoat! Orig. 25.00-26.00.
You II be extra warm in KG's 100% split cowhide
[“tough-out" jacket with sherpa-type or boot pile
lining & knit cuffs. Grey or tan. Orlg. 65.00.
Save 33% On Striped
Rugbys in Bold Colors
On the field or off, you'll look great in these
famous brand rugby shirts made of easy-movin'
mid-weight poly/cotton. Choose royal, red,
navy, grey and many more! Orlg. 30.00.
Save 30%! Saturdays’
Fancy Crewneck Sweaters
Unique marled weave with a multitude of colors
gives these Saturdays' sweaters an easy-going
character you'll love. Brilliant colors and
dazzling patterns in a light, warm acrylic fiber
will make any outing comfortable and stylish.
Wide assortment of styles. Reg. 35.00.
POST OAK MALL • 764-8196 Mon-Sat 10-9 • Sun'12:30-5:30
Triple-A Plowed Under
by Federal Theatre Project’s
Living Newspaper Staff
An exciting recreation of the Living Newspaper!
Triple-A Plowed Under is the vivid dramatization of the
plight of the American farmer. Beginning with the 1936
Federal Theatre Project’s innovative script, the Aggie
Players will reconstruct and develop a script that speaks to
today’s audience. Triple-A Plowed Under features the
unique style of the “Living Newspaper”—a collage of news
reel footage, projections and other theatrical devices.
Please join us for an evening of innovative theatre!
September 25, 26 and October 1, 2, 3 8:00 PM
Rudder Forum
Texas A&M University
General Public $5.00 Students $4.00
Tickets available at the Rudder Box Office
For reservations phone 845-1234
Underwritten, in part, by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Produced by special arrangement with Random House, Inc.