Delirious Dances presents

TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN
Gibney Dance

Anges Varis Performing Arts Center
280 Broadway
NY NY
30 June-2 July 2016

Choreography by Edisa Weeks in collaboration with the dancers
Composed and conducted by: Joseph C. Phillips Jr.

Featuring: Ardella Bang, Angel Chinn, Michael Henry, Johnnie Mercer, EmmaGrace Skove-Epps, Ricarrdo Valentine


TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN is a multi-disciplinary work that features one actor, six dancers, and ten musicians based on the writings of Thomas Paine.

It begins with the actor and dancers passing out noisemakers and fortune cookies. The cookies have Thomas Paine quotes, which the actor asks various audience members to read aloud. Eventually, the music and dance begin. The choreography is strong. Instead of trying to make it look easy, the intention here is to show how hard the dancers are working. They throw themselves into the dance with such energy, that in such close proximity to the audience, one starts to fear getting a foot in the face! As the evening goes on, the dancers do touch audience members. At first just a lean on the knee or a touch of a hand, progressing to dancers holding the hand of an audience member while they dance, and eventually, audience members are pulled up to dance with them in a simple reel.

In the middle of the evening, the actor interrupts the dancing to hold an election. This is where the noisemakers come in. The audience votes for the dancers they want by making as much noise as possible. The actor playing the host is great for the sections of the show that need a carnival barker, but when it comes time for the reels, it would have been better if he had shown a sweeter side that matched the dancers’ connection with audience members.

The musicians, the Numinous Ensemble, were excellent, and worked beautifully with the dancers.

-Jean Tait -