COMING OF AGE

Gyn Phyzz Heyr of the Dogg(y) and All That Jazz

KDance, a Company-in-Residence at Firehouse Theatre on the Carol Piersol Stage

A Theatrical Dance-Music Collaboration Review by Julinda D. Lewis

At: The Firehouse 1609 West Broad St., Richmond, RVA 23220

Performances: October 8 & 9, 2024

Ticket Prices: $10-$25

Info: (804) 355-2001 or firehousetheatre.org

Sublime! This new work by KDance – a collaboration between choreographer Kaye Weinstein Gary, composer John Winn, and the string ensemble Trio 826 is a perfect gem combining Gary’s deliciously peculiar brand of movement exploration with spoken word – in this case, quotes about aging – and live music that speaks all the unspoken words. Ahhhh.

The trio is placed downstage right (the audience’s left) so we can really see their interactions – the violinist glances at the viola player, the cellist smiles at the violinist. The only problem is that from some seats, the musicians partially obscure the dancers. (Maybe if they sat a bit farther back, or at an angle?)

The four dancers enter dressed in wigs and hats, sweaters and shawls that indicate advanced age, but quickly toss off all the restricting accoutrements to reveal their agile, flexible, energetic, enthusiastic mature selves. Yes, this is a dance about aging, and it is done with thoughtfulness, humor, elegance, inspiration, and hope.

They cavort in folk-type dances in lines and circles. They play ball, jump lightly off the edge of the (low) stage and bow towards the musicians before making an exit – leaving the musicians to play for a lusciously long interlude. The music is contemplative, meditative, playful, stately, elegant, harmonious, and discordant. It is all the things it needs to be to tell this story. You can hear the violin talking, bubbling over at a party. You can see and hear the playfulness of the pizzicato section.

Two dancers wrap themselves in a single shawl while the other two share a sweater, each putting an arm in a sleeve. They play musical chairs with only two chairs, striking poses when they freeze. And it all ends with a nostalgic sing-along with the audience. The lyrics to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine” are printed on the back of the program. Coming of Age is short and sweet – like just the right amount of a tasty, rich dessert.

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Julinda D. Lewis is a dancer, teacher, and writer who was born in Brooklyn, NY and now lives in Eastern Henrico County. When not writing about theater, she teaches dance history at VCU and low impact dance fitness classes to seasoned movers like herself, and occasionally performs. Her most recent (ad)venture was the premiere of a solo work, The Waters of Babylon or Psalm 137 Revisited: a Post-Exodus Reflection in Movement Choreographed From Collective Memories for the debut of the Critical Race Theatre Project, right here at RTP in August 2024.

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COMING OF AGE

A music and dance collaboration between K Dance, John Winn, and Trio 826

TRIO 826

Susanna Klein           …………………….   Violin

Julia Bullard              …………………….   Viola

Stephanie Barrett    …………………….   Cello

DANCERS

Andrew Etheredge

Gina Maria McKenzie

Melanie Richards

Kaye Weinstein Gary

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER …….   Kaye Weinstein Gary

Hat/Wig Consultant            ……….           Heidi Rugg

Lighting Designer                ……….           Gretta Daughtrey

Stage Manager                     ……….           Jake Buccella

Production Assistants       ……….           Todd LaBelle, Grade LaBelle, Emily Vial

Photo Credits                        ……….           Jason Collins Photography

RUN TIME

About 40 minutes; there is no intermission

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 7:30PM

Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 7:30PM

TICKETS $10-$25

Photos by Tom Topinka