Dance company blends whimsy, sophistication in fall concert

By LAINE M. RUTHERFORD

Correspondent

NORFOLK

Waiting for the other shoe to drop was an expression redefined at Friday night's world premiere of "Hofheimer Suite-a shoe store fantasy" as performed by the Todd Rosenlieb cq Dance Company at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center.

Choreographed specifically for the nine-member company by established dancer and teacher Bill Evans cq, the piece used shoes as props. Nearly 20 pairs appeared during the 17- minute piece-sparkling red pumps, shiny black and white wing tips, sequined silver numbers-and were more often seen on hands, under chins, on backs and as objects in games of catch, than they were on feet.

The dance paid homage to Hofheimer's Shoes, a now-defunct business that was the local shoe store to buy from in the 1930's until it closed in 1998. The TR Dance Center is based in the old downtown Norfolk Hofheimer's flagship store; the logo still remains on the sidewalk in front of the Center on Granby Street. Evans inspiration came when he found out about the store's history and the Center's ties to the business.

Before members of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra played the first notes of Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite No. 1 for Jazz Orchestra, dancers appeared on stage. As did shoes, lofted high in the air from off stage to thud in front of the performers-their faces expressing surprise, glee and curiosity at the shoes raining from the sky.

The audience was delighted with the whimsy of the piece, laughing and clapping throughout. The score added to the dance's sometimes silly, but never boring movement. Snippets of dances of the era when Shostakovich wrote the piece and when Hofheimer's opened downtown-the 1930's-were incorporated into more contemporary movement. Evans combined the waltz, the Suzy Q, the Camel Walk with repeated handstands, inventive partnering and unexpected uses of shoes.

At times, the music and the scene on stage resembled a carnival act-with the brightly colored shirts the dancers wore, the perceived fun they were having and the lilting music accompanying them.

Judging by the audience's loud cheering at the piece's finale, Hofheimer Suite should become a standard part of the Todd Rosenlieb Dance repertoire. In the future, however, it would be helpful to have the dance performed with the orchestra in a pit-at least for those sitting in the middle to lower part of the Roper. Much of the business using the shoes on the ground was lost-blocked by orchestra members' heads.

The Hofheimer Suite closed the first act. Other pieces performed at the dance company's annual fall concert included the first number Listening for Butterfly Wings, a Todd Rosenlieb piece choreographed in 1996. The second part of the concert featured the world premiere of Rosenlieb's Turning & Turning in the Widening Gyre cq and a stunning presentation of the late Erick Hawkins' choreographed Classic Kite Tails.

Rosenlieb saved the best numbers for last. The company founder's choreography has evolved in the past 10 years as witnessed in the two pieces he presented. At times, Listening for Butterfly Wings lacked the fluidity and energy that was expressed so well in Turning & Turning in the Widening Gyre.

Wearing diaphanous costumes-dresses for the women, skirts for the men--the eight dancers in the first number were sometimes too sharp and static-looking uncomfortable in their movements which proved to be a detraction.

Rosenlieb made up for it in Gyre. A mobile with red shapes hung from the ceiling at center stage. As the mobile turned and the orchestra played Sergei Prokofiev's Quintet in G Minor, Op. 39, the dancers replicated the movements of the mobile as well as the shapes on its many arms. The grey and silver costumes the dancers wore, the black background, the stark lighting and the red of the mobile made the dance even more visually interesting. Particularly noteworthy was an exceptional partnering section with three male dancers and company member Abigail Axelrod.

The last dance of the evening was sublime. Joyful, exuberant and breathtaking, Classic Kite Tails showcased the strength and musicality of Todd Rosenlieb Dance. The dancers, new and experienced, demonstrated sophisticated movement while communicating a feeling of freedom and flight.

Company members, and the audience, should count themselves fortunate to be able to experience the dance with Rosenlieb directing and dancing in it. By his count, the former Hawkins student, dancer and company director has now performed the piece nearly 50 times.

Laine Mednick Rutherford, Laine.R@cox.net.