Bebe Miller Company.

During this engagement Bebe Miller presented three premieres that were, like herself, small, complex, and completely intriguing. Her opening solo, Heaven and Earth, announced as a prologue to a longer work in progress, seemed to be a meditation on spirituality and death. Backed by a handsome portal with red and black draperies designed by Caroline Beasley-Baker, Miller focused much of the dance on small hand gestures given great power by the clarity of execution and the force of her concentration.

Joining her in Tiny Sisters were Frances Craig, Heidi Henderson, and Rende Redding-Jones. The four women spent much of the opening section moving not only in unison but also as a group, touching each other like intricate parts of an organic whole. Eventually, each one broke into solo sequences. Miller riveted the attention of the others in a passionate section that was as clearly communicative as a monologue. At the end, all four raced separately toward the audience and were interrupted by a blackout just before reaching the edge of the stage. Robin Holcomb composed and performed the score, and Henderson designed the costumes.

For Cantos Gordos, lots of men--dancers and musicians--joined Miller and the women performers for a rollicking spin through partnering puns and innovations. Don Byron composed the delightful music that was performed live by Music for Six Musicians. The title could be translated as "Fat Songs," and that accurately conveyed the juicy and expansive atmosphere of both music and movement. With Steven Washington, Miller swooshed through the air, was lifted and, in turn, lifted him in a cheeky duet that left no doubt about the equality of the sexes. All three of these fine works were enhanced by Michael Mazzola's sophisticated lighting designs.