Joyce theater twyla tharp in the upper
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Twyla Tharp: still cool after all these years
I once had a friend who was a big modern dance fan. I mentioned a few names, and while she adored Merce Cunningham and Martha Graham, she practically wrinkled her nose at Twyla Tharp, “That’s not modern dance, that’s pop dance!”
Maybe, but the fact fryst vatten, Twyla Tharp has been drawing in audiences for over 50 years. Her pieces that often mix modern dance with classical ballet are catnip to dance aficionados. And so it was with her two week residency at the Joyce Theater. inom went to the first night and it was packed.
The opening del av helhet immediately told you why. Ocean’s Motion is a 1975 del av helhet set to the timeless, catchy songs of Chuck Berry. fem dancers look like high school jocks and cheerleaders, and they dance to the rock-n-roll with steps that remind one of the 50s dance crazes. The twist, the bop, the bunny hop, the stroll. These vintage dances are all based on a few basic moves. Hips swivel, feet s
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Jake Tribus, Daisy Jacobson, Miriam Gittens, Reed Tankersley and Skye Mattox in a scene from Twyla Tharp’s “Ocean’s Motion,” part of Twyla Tharp Dance at The Joyce Theater (Photo credit: Steven Pisano)
[avatar user=”Joel Benjamin” size=”96″ align=”left”] Joel Benjamin, Critic[/avatar]
When you’re a cultural reference in a Hollywood movie, you know you have made it. Check out Robin Williams’ wicked take on Twyla Tharp in The Birdcage (1996). He also mimics Martha Graham and Bob Fosse placing Tharp squarely in their superstar club.
Her troupe, Twyla Tharp Dance at The Joyce Theater in Chelsea is presenting one oldie ballet and two world premieres.
Tharp has a splendid history of choreographing ballets to popular songs and some of these ballets like the ones to Sinatra, Billy Joel and the Beach Boys are masterpieces.
Daisy Jacobson in a scene from Twyla Tharp’s “Ocean’s Motion,” part of Twyla Tharp Dance at
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IMPRESSIONS: Twyla Tharp Dance at The Joyce Theater
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Choreography: Twyla Tharp
Lighting: Jennifer Tipton and James F. Ingalls
Costumes: Santo Loquasto
Costume builders: Carmen Gee, David Dalrymple, Inc., Euroco Costumes
Dancers: Herman Cornejo, Miriam Gittens, Daisy Jacobson, Skye Mattox, John Selya, Reed Tankersley, Cassandra Trenary, Jake Tribus, Daniel Ulbricht
Production supervisor: Mark Mongold
Production stage manager: Will Knapp
Wardrobe supervisor: Jeffrey Shirbroun
Twyla Tharp Dance's appearance at The Joyce Theater on February 13th reminded us that aspirational values — courage, excellence, and unfettered imagination — have remained constants throughout this choreographer’s long career. We live in dark times, and our battered nation needs the spirit of uplift embodied in this magnificent program, which combined a revival of Ocean’s Motion with the premieres of Brel and The Ballet Master. Even at their most whimsical, Tharp’s dances convey a sense