AUDIENCE REVIEW: Moving Forward, Looking Back: The Mercy Velvet Project
Company:
kamrDANCE
Performance Date:
November 16, 2024
Freeform Review:
“Is there a clear view of where we’ve been or where we’re going to?”
This quote is both a lyric from the 1990’s rock band Mercy Velvet and a question choreographer Alexis Robbins has been asking her whole life. In addition to the “living room dances” that stoked her creativity from a young age, Alexis was also steeped in original music written and performed by her dad’s rock band, Mercy Velvet. She attended many of their rehearsals, and while these were usually spent playing with the other band members’ kids, these rehearsals and the music created in them left quite the impression on young Alexis. Now, in 2024, Alexis is the Choreographer and Artistic Director of kamrDANCE and has embarked on a multi-year journey to bring new life to Mercy Velvet’s 1999 album Live in Vain.
The Mercy Velvet Project is a genre-bending rock opera told through a dynamic combination of music, dance, text, and production elements, all coming together through evocative modes of storytelling. As an esteemed tap dancer, Alexis Robbins has a great understanding and appreciation for the synergy of music and dance. She used dance and movement to not only create a visual and physical telling of the album, but also edified the musical aspect of the show by having tap dance as the sole form of percussion. Much like her dad on drums, Alexis is a rhythmic genius, sculpting sounds with her feet that drive the album’s heartbeat.
Robbins’ most recent showing of The Mercy Velvet Project introduced five of the nine songs on Live in Vain and took the audience on a journey through different obstacles which resembles the Fool’s journey in a traditional tarot deck. As the performers were confronted with various challenges, we as an audience bear witness to their fight towards love and community. This queer and femme cast was especially effective in engaging with the barriers to love Mercy Velvet explores in Live in Vain. Each collaborator involved in this project brought a unique point of view and energy that made this cast stand out in both sheer technique and artistry. Dancer and percussionist, Megan Gessner, was especially remarkable with their thrilling engagement with the audience and dynamic tap solos.
The music, which all collaborators had some role in performing, was expertly crafted by Music and Associate Director, Christine Echols. Echols and Robbins wove together the auditory elements of this show, from tap dance percussion, to live vocals, to electric guitar and bass in a way that surrounds and supports the audience on their journey throughout the entire rock opera, giving them a pocket to fall into and a place to land when needed. Additionally, Aster Rhys gave a stellar performance as the lead vocalist with power, grit, and command over the music.
Each song had its own style and point of view, yet came together as a tapestry in the performance. While four songs are still to be added to the final iteration, this abbreviated version still tells its story in a comprehensive way which speaks to Robbins’ clarity of vision and narrative skills. The transitions were compelling and thoughtful, often subverting the viewer’s expectations. For example, after the second song, “Addiction,” the lights dimmed dramatically and the dancers began to move in slow motion as the instrumentalists sank to the floor while continuing to play. This moment felt as though everyone in the theater was walking a tightrope with baited breath, anxiously waiting to see if we’d make it out alright. This moment is then interrupted by Alexis asking the question, “Is there a clear view?” and ushers the cast into a high energy performance of “Good Morning, Babylon” which perfectly juxtaposed the stillness that came before it.
Much like the lyrics of “Good Morning, Babylon”, it’s as if Alexis has had a clear view carrying her through to develop the Mercy Velvet Project through all of its iterations. From living room dances to now, this journey has been a long one filled with experimentation, passion, and community. Alexis and kamrDANCE plan to premier a full iteration of this work with all nine songs from Live in Vain in Fall of 2025, and if it’s anything like this abbreviated work, I wouldn’t want to miss it.
Author:
Rush Johnston
Website:
www.rushjohnston.com
Photo Credit:
Steven Pisano
