The Wallis Theater at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts opened its 2015 Dance Series with the spectacular Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) on Wednesday November 18th. In a one-of-a-kind dance laboratory, the company trains and lives together in a kibbutz in northern Israel, where they refine their technically strong and physically eclectic style.
photo: Uri Nevo
In If At All, for a physically and emotionally intense 65 minutes the company took us through a series of interconnected scenes of interpersonal relationships – a stunning fight between two men, a playful scene, a battle scene, scenes of lyrical beauty and also of everyday work. The choice of music and sound was superb (Alex Claude and Rami Be’er), as was the lighting design (Lior Cohen). The costumes were an indication of the open attitude of the group –shorts for the women, long skirts for the men, and in the final group of dances, both men and women in checked pleated skirts.
photo: Uri Nevo
The KCDC was founded in 1973 by the late Yehudit Arnon and it has evolved into a first-class center for dance under the current leadership of Rami Be’er and DCDC staff. In an interview Be’er said, “I invite the spectator on a journey and I give him a rope. I lead him to a certain point and then leave him with himself, with his own associations, memories, feelings and thoughts. The piece is not telling a story, but it’s not a total abstract. If At All deals with our existence as individuals, couples and society.”
photo: Uri Nevo
The 2014-2015 Dance Series continues with the thrilling DanceBrazil (February
6-7) and the return of last season’s sold-out Les Ballets Jazz de
Montreal (April 16-18). Tickets and information at 310 746-4000 or thewallis.org
for tickets and information.