Mareck Dance presented a stellar 17th Annual spring performance, “Live!” as a part of the University Concert Series at the Missouri Theatre on April 7 and 8. Varied styles and interesting staging made for a visually compelling show that drew in the audience. The pieces showcased the dancers’ range of technical skill and their artistic ability. The dancing was also paired with live music including guitar, harp, piano, drums and vocals.

The company, formerly known as “Missouri Contemporary Ballet,” is made up of just eight dancers, led by director Karen Mareck Grundy. As one of the only professional dance companies in Mid-Missouri, it provides a unique audience experience. In a well-rounded show, “Live!” consisted of three world premieres and two repertoire pieces.

“Whispers in the Dark,” choreographed by Kristopher Estes-Brown, opened the show. The dancers stumbled around the stage, albeit gracefully, depicting a drunken crowd. The piece moved into a powerful, emotional solo from Nathan Crewe-Kluge, accompanied by spoken word and hushed music. The shaky and unbalanced movement of the ensemble quickly smoothed out as the mood of the piece turned somber. By the end, dancers showcased their ability to portray complex emotions while maintaining coordination and exceptional technique.

Next was “Desperate Measures,” which originally premiered in 2010 and was created by Grundy. On the stage was a small red couch, a projector and a screen. Throughout the piece narration appeared on the screen explaining the complex murder mystery narrative of the piece. Although this could be seen as a gimmick, for less seasoned dance consumers, a play-by-play of the story was a welcome break from the often abstract concepts presented in dance. This piece was upbeat and jazzy in nature, with the women en pointe and more classic ballet technique being utilized.

The second world premiere of the night, “Moon Bloom,” choreographed by Helen Hatch, took the stage next. The dancers wore pastel colors and a mix of guitar and piano set a light mood. The entire piece consisted of smooth, elongated movements and many classic partnering steps and lifts. At times the piece felt stagnant but contrasted nicely with the other dances and served as a sort of ‘palate cleanser’ for the performance.

“People, Places, Things,” a repertoire piece by Autumn Eckman, was the standout of the night. Three women and the only two men in the company were featured in this smaller piece. While still en pointe, the women showcased incredible endurance as they moved quickly all around the stage. Dancer Victoria VanderPlas was particularly captivating, with incredible body lines, sharp movements and a strong stage presence.

The third world premiere and second piece by Grundy was entitled “Right Now,” and brought the entire company back onstage. Musicians Ruth Acuff and Jeff Mueller played harp and bass respectively in addition to singing. A mixture of soft and sharp movements were set to a fast tempo which made for a visually interesting dance from start to finish.

Although Mareck Dance’s company is small, the theater was filled by the dancers’ expansive movement, clever choreography and unique compositions. While Grundy and the dancers took their bows, the entire audience rose to give them a deserved standing ovation. The night of dance was beautiful and the music, choreography, costuming and staging all complemented one another in order to create it.

Edited by Egan Ward | eward@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Sam Barrett and Lauren Courtney