By: Joleen Braasch Staff Writer
As part of the Smith Fine Arts Series, BodyVox, the dance company known for its creativity, physicality, beauty, and wit, will be performing “Reverie” in Rice Auditorium on Jan. 8, 2015.
Founded in 1997 and currently in its 17th season, BodyVox is a Portland-based dance company led by Emmy Award-winning choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland.
“Reverie,” a show that premiered in 2001 and was developed surrounding and influenced by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, has been performed throughout the U.S. and internationally in Germany, Mexico, and Japan.
The name of the show connotes being swept up and carried away, allowing viewers to become lost in the show and in the thoughts that the show inspires.
Hampton states that beauty is the central theme in the show, “art must prevail, humanity must prevail, culture, knowledge, and freedom of expression, indeed beauty must prevail.”
The complex tone of the show is aided by the use of colorful and creative costumes set against a darkly-lit stage. This creates a mood that is both serious and somber, while still being lively and eye-catching.
Dancers in this show utilize both quick and slow movements, and work together in many upside-down twirling positions and occasional wire-flying. These difficult moves and acrobatics reveal the troupe’s well-developed skills involving cooperation, strength, and technique.
The movements not only evoke laughter from the audience, shown in exaggerated gestures implying sexual innuendos and crazed minds, but also play on serious tones using ghostly movements and heavy, somber music.
Franziska Grevesmühl-v. Marcard, a managing director of the Norddeutsche Konzertdirektion dance company in Germany, says that “Reverie” “makes the audience feel they are part of another world: Full of dreams, colors and music. This is not only a performance— it is an instruction to be happier.”
Featuring more than 200 original dances, the company has also developed nine award-winning films, 30 original shows, and three operas.
The Oregonian called BodyVox Portland’s “most popular and internationally renowned dance troupe.”
BodyVox’s mesmerizing and inspiring performance will be held at Rice Auditorium on Jan. 8, at 7:30pm.
