Complexions to make Israeli debut

Complexions has been dedicated to portraying the energy and restlessness of New York.

By HELEN KAYE
dance review 88 (photo credit: )
dance review 88
(photo credit: )
According to the New York Times, Dwight Rhoden is "one of the most sought-out choreographers of the day" while Desmond Richardson is hailed as "one of the great modern dancers of his time." Together Rhoden and Richardson founded Complexions 12 years ago, and are its joint artistic directors. Now the much admired New York-based dance company will make its Israeli debut on March 24 and 25 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center with a program of works by Rhoden, featuring Richardson solo in Lament, his only appearance for the evening. There are seven dances in the show - a five-piece middle section book-ended by Dear Frederic, a tribute to F. Chopin and his music and by a salute to the multi-faceted vocal magic of jazz-singer Nina Simone in Pretty Gritty Suite. The other pieces in the middle are Gone, set to music sung by that priestess of Gospel, Odetta, Gravity, Moody Booty Blues, and Lux, all danced by various members of the company. From the beginning, Complexions has been dedicated to portraying the energy and restlessness of New York in all its multifaceted, multiethnic, multicultural complexity (hence the company's name). Rhoden's choreography, described as molten lava, embraces the city from fashion to fusion in a dance language that melds classical with pop, and modern with break-dance and hip-hop. Rhoden and Richardson were both principal dancers with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and both have received that company's Apex Award (as well as many others) for their contribution to dance. Rhoden has created some 60 ballets for Complexions and for other US companies including the Joffrey and New York City Ballets. He's also created choreographies for Prince and Cirque de Soleil. Richardson has danced with the Frankfurt Ballet, American Ballet Theater, on Broadway and in film. He most recently appeared as Grendel in Julie Taymor's production of Beowol at the Los Angeles Opera. Complexions will also perform at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center (March 21 and 22), Haifa Auditorium (March 26) and at the Jerusalem Theater (March 27). The event is part of the Dance at the Mishkan series.