CENTER STAGE: Arts House Dance

"Decadance""Decadance"Feb 23, 24, 25"Decadance"Feb 23, 24, 258pm - Harold Prince Theater The 20-member company, led by Artistic Director Tracy Layland, a College senior, and Chairperson CherZ Rael, also a College senior, was extremely successful in those pieces featuring large groups of dancers, but fell short in its smaller numbers. The quick-paced music of Crystal Waters' "100 Percent Pure Love," "Gonna Catch You" by Lonnie Gordon and the rockette-style "One," from A Chorus Line, accentuated the group's strengths -- talent and consistency in synchronization, coordination and cohesion. The company was at its best when depicting a song's storyline. Miming a street gang's life with rap singer Ice-Cube's "Bonnie & Clyde Theme," the six dancers performed an incredible number choreographed by College sophomore Karen Yedvab. The piece featured acrobatics, sexy pelvic movements and a simulated gun fight. The imitation of Brazilian beach living in Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," choreographed by College senior Mahealani Richardson, cleverly illustrated the story of the showgirl Lola. Arts House also performed an unexpected and intricate tap-version of the Andrews Sisters' corny hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," choreographed by former University student Diana Soriano. But this number stood in contrast to the less spontaneous and slower rhythms of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." Although the music was sometimes too loud, the lighting was perfectly appropriate and the costumes carefully chosen -- simple and fairly sober, yet highlighted with a touch of originality such as suspenders, hats or masks. The 16 pieces presented varied in quality, but because of their diversity -- which ranged from modern or funk dance to tap and ballet -- succeeded through their unusual choreography, close-knit performer interaction, unique stage accessories and use of music. --Brigitte Sion