In "Refer," the most charismatic members of RawDance, Kelly Del Rosario and Erin Yen, shine with their choreographic debuts, delivering a punchy, high-energy performance. The music by Aaron Gold enhances their movements, filled with meme-like gestures and old-school hip-hop inflections, creating a delightful marriage of sound and motion that leaves the audience wanting more. Their duet stands as a quintessential example of creativity and energy in dance, offering a refreshing contrast to the rest of the performance.
RawDance’s performance, while celebrating two decades of success, struggles with a sense of flatness in three-quarters of the program. The disappointment is multiplied given the local significance of the company, led by the dedicated Wendy Rein and Ryan T. Smith, who are known for fostering a supportive community and pushing the boundaries of dance through their unique collaborations. This disconnect raises important questions about the ongoing evolution of their choreography: is meaningful and regular feedback being sought?
The energy of the evening was rejuvenated by the lobby exhibition accompanying the premiere of Rein and Smith's new work, "Escape." This visual display, when compared to the performances on stage, sparked more intrigue and engagement, highlighting a potential misfire in the choreography presented. It begs a reevaluation of focus and perhaps a narrative merit in the non-performance elements of the night which captured the audience’s imagination better than the main acts.
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