THE HANGOVER REPORT – A.I.M BY KYLE ABRAHAM experiments with fresh choreographic ideas in an evening of dance at The Joyce

A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham dancers perform Abraham’s “If We Were a Love Song” at The Joyce Theater (photo by Stephanie Berger).

Last night, I attended the opening night performance of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s spring repertory program at The Joyce Theater. After a slew of evening length works, it’s refreshing to see Abraham and his company turn their attention to shorter works, allowing them to more freely explore fresh choreographic ideas.

The evening’s first half was comprised of a trio of world premieres. Most notable of these was Abraham’s silent duet MotorRover (sensationally performed by Jamaal Bowman and Donovan Reed at the performance I attended) — a captivating blend of Merce Cunningham’s deadpan rigor and Abraham’s more playful post-modern aesthetic. The other Abraham premiere was 5 Minute Dance (You Drivin’?), a short piece for four dancers set to the electronic music of Jlin. In this entertaining, high energy dance, Abraham opts for a looser, more sweeping movement quality, which is a departure from the MacArthur Genius choreographer’s typically coiled physicality. The last of the premieres came by way of company alum Maleek Washington’s Uproot: love and legacy. Set to the music of composers KAMAUU and Kwinton Gray, the piece was an ideal opener — beautiful to look at if not particularly memorable.

The second half began with a scintillating performance of Bebe Miller’s 1989 solo Rain. Both earthy and regal, the dance — which features music by Hearn Gadbois — vividly jumped off of The Joyce stage, particularly as danced by Tamisha A. Guy on opening night. Then came arguably the centerpiece of the evening — If We Were A Love Song, a dance created by Abraham in 2021 during the midst of the pandemic and set to a collection of songs by the great Nina Simone. I had seen a version of the work last year in the opening program of New York City Center’s Fall For Dance festival. I’m happy to report that it remains ravishing, particularly with respect to its pungent, deeply emotive depictions of love and loneliness via episodic scenes involving ensemble, duets, and solos. Throughout, the eclectic A.I.M by Kyle Abraham dancers were in superb form, collectively performing with focus, intention, and a touch of humor.

RECOMMENDED

A.I.M BY KYLE ABRAHAM
Dance
The Joyce Theater
1 hour, 45 minutes (with one intermission)
Through April 9

Categories: Dance

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