Natl. troupe gives local flavor

Returning to its roots, Philadanco, an African-American repertory dance company, brought boundless energy into the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theatre last night. At home again to perform the world premiere of its ballet "Tribute," the renowned Philadelphia-based dance troupe has gained international recognition for its versatility, unique style and commanding stage presence. The group has just returned from a tour in Canada. Headed by Joan Myers Brown, its founding artistic director, the company dancers live, work and train in the city at their studio at 40th and Market streets. From the moment four female dancers stepped out onto a blackened stage, their heads adorned with candelabras, holding blazing wax candles, the audience realized that this was not going to be a typical dance performance. "'Tribute' truly is a tribute to dance -- our dance," said Vanessa Thomas, managing director of Philadanco. "It is a tribute to dance with an African-American theme, to feeling, to culture, to what Philadanco epitomizes." The first piece, entitled "Shoshana's Balcony," was choreographed by Israeli Barak Marshall. Set to a compilation of traditional Jewish klezmer music, big band sound, a noisy Hebrew conversation between women and at times silence, the dance was an adaptation of the Book of Susan, which is associated with the New Testament. The dancers' staccato movements, especially those executed in complete silence, demonstrated both synchronization and precision. One had to wonder whether the performers' hearts were not also beating in sync. During "Tribute," dancers exhibited their exceptional strength and flexibility to the music of Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International Records. Best known for their production of what has been coined the "Philly Sound," the record company is celebrating its 30th annniversary along with Philadanco. In the piece, Philadanco took the traditional pas de deux -- or dance for two, in which two partners move together -- to a new level, as partners had the audience guessing where one body ended and the next began. Despite some technical difficulties with the sound equipment that delayed the piece halfway through, the performance was highly lauded by the audience. Both Annenberg organizers and Philadanco dancers were happy the dance company could debut choreographer Dwight Rhoden's interpretation of popular music at Penn. Other pieces on the evening's playbill included "Exotica," "Pretty is Skin Deep, Ugly to the Bone," "Ghettoscape," "Soul Saga" and "Gotta Keep Moving." "Annenberg's mission is to provide a performing arts venue for those companies that exist in the surrounding area," Annenberg Center spokesperson Stephanie Grant said. "And Philadanco goes beyond presenting a local group -- they are nationally pre-eminent." The company's visit to Annenberg is part of the ongoing Dance Celebration/Next Move 2000 series presented by the University and Dance Affiliates.