Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – City Center’s business-as-usual 2022 FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL indicates a New York fall dance season in full swing (at long last)

• By drediman
• September 23, 2022
• No Comments

For the first time since pre-pandemic times, New York City Center’s Fall for Dance has once again gone international (in contrast to last year’s festival, which understandably focused solely on U.S.-based companies). This was clearly evident during Wednesday’s opening night of the festival’s 2022 edition, at which the democratically-priced, crowd-pleasing festival – the brainchild of Arlene Shuler, who this season steps down from her role as City Center’s chief executive and president after 19 years in the role – featured three performances by dance companies from around the globe.

Unsurprisingly, the evening was a festive affair, and the program — the first of five spread over two eventful weeks — was as eclectic as ever (as per usual, not everything on the bill may be your cup of tea, but there’s surely something for everyone). The program opened with a New York premiere, with Compagnie Hervé Koubi performing excerpts from Boys Don’t Cry, the company’s soulful, deeply personal collective ode to their parents. Although you can’t deny the impressive athleticism of Koubi’s street choreography, the choreographer and his fantastic ensemble of all-male dancers were able to temper the dynamism with a disarmingly poetic (spoken word plays an integral part in the piece), almost laid-back sensibility.

The evening continued with the pas de deux from Le Corsaire as danced by Bavarian State Ballet’s Margarita Fernandes and António Casalinho, both young dancers with wonderfully solid classical technique. Mr. Casalinho, in particular, exhibited exciting flair and personality as he attacked Petipa’s grandstanding choreography with aplomb.

The program concluded with Gibney Company performing the North American premiere of Johan Inger’s Bliss. This was my second exposure to the young company, and they’ve only grown into more compelling performers since I last saw them at The Joyce last fall. Happily, Inger’s 2016 piece showcases the company in the best light, giving the dancers the opportunity to display their considerable abilities as pure movers while allowing them to show off their personalities. But as gifted as they are individually, the company really shines as an ensemble, and the gently fun-loving Bliss is nothing if not a work designed for an ensemble.

It’s been a long time since New Yorkers have seen a proper Fall for Dance program, and one could feel the anticipatory excitement from capacity audience even before the curtain rose. Indeed, this wasn’t one of your sleepy matinee crowds — enthusiastic cheers and ovations greeted and accompanied each performance throughout the evening. Along with the launch of The Joyce and City Ballet’s seasons this week, the commencement of Fall for Dance finds New York’s vibrant dance scene back in full, business-as-usual swing — and it’s about time.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL: PROGRAM 1
Dance
New York City Center
1 hour, 45 minutes (including one intermission)
Through October 2