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Ohio Dance Theatre @ Cleveland Public Theatre 4/30

Denise Gula, the founder and artistic director of the Oberlin based Ohio Dance Theatre, is both a choreographer and a theatre person. As such, much of her dance repertoire has a dramatic, story-telling base.

In the company's recent residency at Cleveland Public Theatre, as part of 'DANCEWORKS 09, they presented a three-segment program. The opening piece, 'WHEN I FALL,' featured the talents of Janet Strukley and Brain Murphy in a well danced, dramatic piece which found the dancers in perfect harmony with the oft-changing musical sounds of Nat King Cole, James Edward Davis and Young and Heyman.

'SPENDTHRIFT,' which explored the beauty and power of the ocean's water as it blows, creates foam, and swirls at the base of the shoreline, found five female dancers using their arms and bodies to move through space. A strong solo by Juliana Freude was a highlight of the classic piece which was set to Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

The highlight of the program was 'SILENT WITNESS,' a tribute to women who are the victims of abuse. The number was inspired by an exhibit presented by Genesis House, which Gula witnessed. She states, "I found myself stunned and moved by the starkness and simplicity of the images. I wanted to make a ballet that would honor these women and help bring awareness to this disturbing social issue."

In the main, Gula succeeds. There was live dancing by a solo performer, while simultaneously a video showed her falling in love, and the unfolding tumult and brutal relationship which had strong visual and emotional overtones. The music, the illusions of woman, man, children in conflict, and the pain was clearly depicted in the dance and movements of Janet Strukley and Kyle Primous.

Unfortunately, the piece become overly long and redundant by the addition of a music video which was seemingly tacked onto the ending. The dance, sans music video, ended on high emotion. No more was needed. The video, which introduced new people and another media, was overkill and weakened the overall effect.

The lack of a curtain call was a creative touch as it left the audience fidgeting uncomfortably in the strong emotions of the piece, encouraged to exit at their own pace, with the images lingering in their minds.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Ohio Dance Theatre's DANCEWORKS O9' performance was well received. Gula's ability to combine dance and theatre, gives the company a hands-up over other groups who often fail in telling stories which require more than dance proficiency.

Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on http://www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal. To subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal. (:divend:)