SANTANA STEPS INTO THE RING.THE CARLOTA SANTANA DANCE COMPANY CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA OCTOBER 11, 2000 The International Poetry Forum's collaboration with the Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company generated the successful world premiere of Mano a Mano ma·no a ma·no n. pl. ma·nos a ma·nos 1. A bullfight in which two rival matadors take turns fighting several bulls each. 2. : The Life of Manolete, a theatrically savvy seventy-minute flamenco drama based on the brief career of Cordoba's lionized bullfighter Manuel Laureano Rodriguez y Sanchez (Manolete). Opening as 30-year-old Manolete lies dying, gored by the bull Islero, the story unfolds in concise flashbacks prefaced with pertinent narrative, written and recited by Forum director Samuel Hazo. While the movement is predominantly flamenco and focused on machismo, Antonio Hidalgo's choreography also incorporates contemporary forms and mime to propel the plot. Since the production uses no scenery and sparse sets, its drama is admirably relayed via the stage presence and acting skills of the fifteen-member cast of dancers and musicians. The best hybrid scene culminates as the reverent Manolete (danced by Hidalgo Hidalgo, state, Mexico Hidalgo (ēthäl`gō), state (1990 pop. 1,888,366), 8,058 sq mi (20,870 sq km), central Mexico. Pachuca de Soto is the capital. with elegant reserve) and his arrogant rival Dominguin (a dynamic Fermin Calvo de Mora MORA, In civil law. This term, in mora, is used to denote that a party to a contract, who is obliged to do anything, has neglected to perform it, and is in default. Story on Bailm. Sec. 123, 259; Jones on Bailm. 70; Poth. Pret a Usage, c. 2, Sec. 2, art. 2, n. ) ceremoniously cer·e·mo·ni·ous adj. 1. Strictly observant of or devoted to ceremony, ritual, or etiquette; punctilious: "borne on silvery trays by ceremonious world-weary waiters" Financial Times. prepare for the ring while women enter downstage down·stage adv. Toward, at, or on the front part of a stage. adj. Of or relating to the front part of a stage. n. The front half of a stage. Noun 1. in long, black mourning dresses. Their torsos contract and release as they weep. Santana, as Dona Angustias, provides a stately focal point, leading the grouping offstage, as the two sequined se·quin n. 1. A small shiny ornamental disk, often sewn on cloth; a spangle. 2. A gold coin of the Venetian Republic. Also called zecchino. tr.v. matadors fatefully step toward the audience, shoulder-to-shoulder. The statement is effective and chilling. The flamenco idiom efficiently defines both the rivalry and personalities of the competitors. Manolete's skill and maturity are accentuated with authoritative poses contrasted with swift, multiple turns. Dominguin's impetuousness is drawn with rapid-fire footwork and swaggering carriage. Among the highlights is an instructive duet for Manolete and his mentor Camara (capably performed by Antonio Ortega) built on thematic phrases of cape work that the aspiring matador replicates, refines and makes his own. Providing a subdued romantic interlude, Manolete's pairing with Antonita Branchalo (an expressive Cristina Villaplana) sensuously smolders with meaningful hand clasps, protective embraces and tender facial caresses. As Mano was dramatically satisfying, Tablao Flamenco, a well-danced abstract showpiece, was anticlimactic an·ti·cli·max n. 1. A decline viewed in disappointing contrast with a previous rise: the anticlimax of a brilliant career. 2. . Here, skillfully manipulating a fan and the substantial train of a ruffled ruf·fle 1 n. 1. A strip of frilled or closely pleated fabric used for trimming or decoration. 2. A ruff on a bird. 3. a. A ruckus or fray. b. Annoyance; vexation. 4. gown, a charismatic female soloist offered a choreographically varied dance of low kicks, rhythmic footwork and crisply punctuated arm gestures. Coyly closing the fan spoke by spoke, she manipulated the audience as well, creating a fine theatrical moment. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion