JOSE LIMON DANCE COMPANY AT THE WALLIS
I’m so glad that I got to see this wonderful dance company again, right here in Los Angeles, at one of my favorite theatres, The Wallis in Beverly Hills.
I say “again” because I had seen them when I was a little girl in New York. But back then, the performance had disturbed me. My parents always took us to cultural experiences, and growing-up in the Big Apple, we had access to so much of it. I had erroneously thought that I was going to be seeing a flamenco troupe, because, being very young, I had confused Jose Limon with Jose Greco. So, when they did a modern dance that involved death and blood, (I told you it affected me—I still remember snippets of the performance,) I was very upset. (I was a sensitive little bugger.)
So, all these years later, when I knew that the Jose Limon company was coming to town, I did my research, and finally, after decades, realized why I had such a negative reaction back then. And when I learned of this company’s fascinating history, I could not wait to see them perform from this end of life.
And I’m so glad that I did—all students of dance should take opportunities such as this one to see works of the old school masters. It was so interesting to witness several works that were choreographed way before I was born.
In case your only knowledge of dance is from TV shows, (which I’m grateful for, by the way, because they not only educate the masses about this art a bit, they also employ so many dancers,) let me tell you something about the style of the Jose Limon Dance Company. It’s real “modern,” from before many people started referring to that style as “contemporary.” As a former dancer, I can tell you that they’re really two different styles; the differences may be subtle, but they’re there.
During the performance at The Wallis, I actually found myself wondering just what Jose Limon himself would have thought of today’s complicated choreography, such as that of Travis Wall and Mandy Moore, who’ve both done outstanding work, most notably on So You Think You Can Dance. I have a feeling that he would find it as fascinating as I do to see how dance has evolved; three of the five numbers performed this week-end were from the 1940s! Wow.
I have to admit that as first a ballerina and then a tap student and hip-hopper, modern dance was never my cup of tea. I didn’t love doing it; it just didn’t hit me where I live. (And when I was a little ballet student in Brooklyn, my mother wouldn’t let me take modern, anyway. See if you can guess why. I’ll give you a second. The clues: we were Jewish, in Brooklyn, and my mother was a worrier. Ready for the answer? Because she wouldn’t let me be barefoot!!! Of course.)
But I absolutely loved seeing these Jose Limon classics at The Wallis this past week-end. They performed Jose Limon’s iconic dance, The Moor’s Pavane, (which is based on Othello,) along with Concerto Grosso and Chaconne, also by Mr. Limon. Rounding-out the program were a pair of numbers choreographed by others from his current company, Corvidae and Night Light. And even though those two were created in the last few years, they were conceived à la Jose Limon, which was also interesting to see. (And all five are performed on a bare stage, which is so Modern Dance to me.)
I think I liked Night Light the best, because it was the most “of today.” (And also because the dancers were wearing various shades of blue in that number—I never said I wasn’t shallow.) But here’s a weird dichotomy about me: I absolutely adore and cherish classic ballet; I so prefer it to modern ballet. But in the modern/contemporary dance categories, I like more recent choreography to old school, especially from that long ago, such as the creations of Jose Limon and Martha Graham.
But I absolutely adored the dramatic bows of the foursome who performed The Moor’s Pavane. I wished they had gone on even longer! They were truly something to behold!
And I must tell you–The Wallis is the best place to see dance in LA! The Bram Goldsmith Theater in there has fabulous sightlines and very comfortable seats.
I’m proud of LA patrons for coming out to see dance. We are such a dedicated audience, and I always have respect for all my fellow dance audience members. It’s the one time I almost feel like I’m still in New York!
Even though it’s too late for you to see their show at The Wallis, I recommend that you see the Jose Limon Dance Company wherever else you can. Especially if you care about dance history.