Los Angeles Dance Preview: JESSICA LANG DANCE (Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts)

MORE LANG FOR YOUR BUCK

While Jessica Lang has made a name for herself in the dance world as an independent choreographer, dance patrons in Los Angeles may find this dancemaker difficult to place. Because the majority of troupes that visit here offer programs by the company’s namesake (Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, Bill T. Jones), Lang’s work has yet to make an impact. Continuously working with ballet companies across the U.S. and abroad since 1999, Lang—who has created more than 80 pieces—ultimately decided in 2011 to form her own company: Jessica Lang Dance (JLD). Based in New York City, the nascent company, dedicated to creating and performing the work of its founder, made its official debut at the 2012 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Mass. This weekend for three performances only, JLD makes its West Coast debut at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

Offering six pieces (one on film) created between 2006 and 2011, this program offers the elements that have made Lang such an in-demand choreographer: She transforms classical ballet language into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging contemporary works utilizing an amalgam of her disparate backgrounds—jazz, ballet, modern, and her years with Twyla Tharp’s company, THARP!—with an uncanny knack for integrating stunning visual design.

About the repertoire:

“Lines Cubed” (2012)
Inspired by artist Piet Mondrian, set to music by John Metcalfe and Thomas Metcalf, with costumes by Lisa Choules, set design by Molo Designers, Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen, and lighting design by Nicole Pearce.  Tess Alfano from BroadwayWorld.com said “The use of symmetry, clean lines, and primary colors set against a white stage offered the perfect dichotomy to a work that evoked a contemporary, dangerous feel. “Lines Cubed” has an artistic texture that makes the audience feel as if we are watching a moving painting.”

“Mendelssohn / Incomplete” (2011)
Set to music by Felix Mendelssohn, with costumes by Elena Comendador, and lighting design by Nicole Pearce.  Tim Martin in Dance Europe said, “The partnering work is genteel, but with spirit, and present throughout her work is a mesmerizing use of dynamics- simple kneeling or lunging becomes so much more when rendered by her dancers in varying, unearthly qualities.”

“Among the Stars” (2010)
Set to music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, with costume design by Elena Comendador and lighting design by Amarante Lucerno.  The piece was commissioned by TITAS Command Performance Gala and was created for Yuan Tan and Clifton Brown.  Margaret Putnam, from Theatre Jones, called it, “the most touching work.”

“The Calling” (2006)
Set to music by Trio Mediaeval, with costume design by Elena Comendador, costume concept by Jessica Lang, and lighting design by Al Crawford.  This piece was commissioned by Ailey II.  Gina Miles from The Bermuda Sun called this piece, “A heavenly ballet…The beautiful movements seamlessly moved from the long and lyrical to the urging and angular, leaving the audience completely mesmerized.”

“White” A Dance on Film (2006)
Set to music by Edward Grieg, with costume design by Elena Comendador, collaboration with conceptual artist Shinichi Maruyama, edited by Tetsushi Wakasugi.  Andrew Boynton in The New Yorker said, “Using a more folky, weighted vocabulary, Lang conveyed the poignancy of dance – the heartbreaking desire for moments to stretch for as long as possible.”

“i.n.k.” (2011)
Set to music by Jakub Ciupinksi (commissioned score), with costume design by Elena Comendador, lighting design by Nicole Pearce, and video art by KUSHO by Shinichi Maruyama, edited by Tetushi Wakasugi and Jackson Notier.  Zahra Sadjadi, from Theater is Easy, said, “This piece was so utterly poignant and moving that I was surprised how captivated I could be by images, sounds, movements, and moments so abstract, simple and peaceful.”

photos by Takao Komaru, Todd Burnsed, and Sharen Bradford

Jessica Lang Dance
Bram Goldsmith Theatre
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills
Friday, May 30 at 8:00pm
Saturday, May 31 at 3:00pm & 8:00pm
for tickets, call 310-746-4000 or visit www.thewallis.org