'Aeros' a near-miracle of illusion
NEW YORK (AP) -April 17, 2008 Running for 17 days at the New Victory Theater, "Aeros"
doesn't inspire gasps or loud applause, but does tease a growing
appreciation of form and movement, the many becoming one, the one
many. It's as simple and as unified as sit-ups in assembly line
precision, or the cast hurrying into small groups and contorting
until it spells the magic word, "AEROS."
A 70-minute performance guided by three directors-choregraphers
(Daniel Ezralow, David Parsons and Moses Pendleton), "Aeros"
strings together 19 self-defining pieces, such as "Stretch" and
"Handstands." In "Flowers," a circle of gymnasts bends forward,
then arches back, like petals closing and opening. "Table"
includes a real table, and four male performers, bare-chested,
resembling businessmen at a game of all-night poker.
The feel is fluid, classical, but the look and sound is modern.
Except for the costumes in "Dresses," the clothes could have been
borrowed from your neighborhood gym - warm-up suits, tank tops,
stretch pants. The prerecorded music emphasizes beat over melody,
whether postindustrial noise, or reggae and hip-hop.
"Aeros" uses few special effects, but the whole show is a
near-miracle of illusion. When performers approach from opposite
sides of the stage, they seem to glide not past each other, but
through each other. In one sketch, two dancers so perfectly mimic
each other that it's hard to tell whether you're seeing a duet or
simply a solo star and her reflection.
"Aeros" will be at the New Victory through April 27.