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AUDIENCE REVIEW: Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance in "Dancebath" (Review 2)

Company:
Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance

Performance Date:
May 3 - 4, 2024

Freeform Review:

Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance’s newest piece “DANCEBATH” uses improvised music to seamlessly flow between group work, solos, and an explosive duet. This piece worked well in the intimate black box theater of Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn where the audience could feel the reverberations of the guitar, keyboard (composed, improvised, and performed by Meghan Rose), and drum kit (improvised and performed by Ashley Baier) as well as the instruments played by the dancers.

The intimacy of the space and lighting design made Ponomarenko’s piece feel like a trip through the various rooms of a bathhouse; where the improvised music and lights made the event exciting and unique. Ponomarenko’s work highlights each dancer’s unique way of moving to great effect. The energy of each section leads the audience from room to room, receding and reviving at just the right moments. 

“DANCEBATH” opens with the warm tones of the dancers playing singing bowls. It then gives the audience a graceful, yet unorthodox group section; followed by a playful and gorgeous solo by Larissa Asebedo; the previously mentioned upbeat, electric duet by Pilar Mellon-Reyes and Kate Antoinette Reyes; a hypnotic sensual solo by Lauren Marie Jaeger; a high-voltage group jumping section; an impeccably performed solo by Aoi Sato; and an ending that leaves the audience wishing to experience the piece again.

Part of the joy of watching Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance is witnessing how Ponomarenko’s movement defies the audience's expectations. Every movement is graceful and familiar, yet unconventional, and in its quirkiness approachable.

I hope to see this piece performed again soon.

Author:
A. Lau

Photo Credit:
Jaqlin Medlock