ALESSANDRA CORONA WORK

What an incredible night of dance with Alessandra Corona Performing Works at the  theater at St. Jean  150 east 76th street! A perfect location for this new and rising company.

The evening started with Dance Shorts a series of 3 short works choreographed by emerging Choreographers Maiya Redding,  lsaies Santamaria Perez and Artistic Director Alessandra Corona.

The first one “Breaking though the generational curse” explores family dynamics, a family evolving though a long journey, discovering relationships. My eyes were quickly drawn to James Samson, long time dancer for Paul Taylor (retired from the company last year after a wonderful career). As the work extends we can see the dancers express jealousy, regret, forgiveness and love.

Next in the program “Shina“, the story of the tower of Babel. The work starts with a slow motion that really brings you into the work, but ends too soon to fulfill the Medieval version of the story. I’m curious to see this work evolving.

“Labyrinth“, choreographed by the artistic director Alessandra Corona explores the struggle of two lovers. The piece starts with visuals that remind one of a beautiful Greek island (but I’m sure it is depicting Sardinia where Corona is from) where young people are tangled in a veil, a fate that they can not escape.
The music by Thomas Lentakis is very sexy and captivating very well interpreted by Maria Vittoria Villa (awarded this summer as Rising Star for the Italian international Dance Award) with Brian Castillo. Finish the work with a wonderful duet running away and looking for one another.

Last work in the program “W2” by French Coroegrapher Manuel Vignoulle was my favorite. The ballet explores the evolution of the male/female dynamic in history. From different periods and cultures. The dance shows us the transformation of women and the transformation of gender. We can feel the reaction of the men to women power but also how identities have become more fluid. Women wearing pants and the boys skirts.

The work had wonderful duets that were very different as the piece evolved. Alessandra Corona and  Brian Castillo gave us what I would describe as a more conventional couple that captured the audience with incredible partnering and spinning on the floor. Alessandra is a feather in Brian’s arms. Cassandra Orefice and James Johnson in contrast show us a different partnering with Cassandra lifting James multiple times.

The women all in pants, at this point, are acting as silly men, one of the audience’s favorite moments I have to say from hearing them laugh.

Last but not less important the live singing of the soprano Jessica Niles gave even more depth to the evening and nicely surprised me.
I enjoyed but please go and judge for yourself.
A.P.F.