Maximal Schnapper (Suchu), March 31, 2005, Barnevelder Theater

With a name like Maximal Schnapper, it's got to be confusing. The new work by Jennifer Wood and the Suchu dancers has some nice moments, but it was hard to discern a point to the show. (Ok, birds, we get it.) The white costumes on all the dancers in front of the white curtains and floor was soothing, but it put more pressure on the choreography to keep us interested. Unfortunately, the choreography didn't always deliver. The show started with the dancers in a line in front of the curtain, gesturing like crazed yuppies who just wanted to get their grande mocha cappuccinos so they could get out of there. It progressed to everyone dancing on stage doing something different, to a few people dancing on stage doing something different, to everyone dancing on stage doing something different. During most of the dancing, images of birds along a coastline were projected onto the back curtain. There were some nice supported releases in there, and Jessi Harper really added intensity to the movement and made sitting through the show worth it. That's not to say I ever wanted to walk out, but I did do some serious yawning by the end of the first act. The music at the beginning of the second act really got my attention. It was appealing music by David Lang featuring bells, but it was so loud that I had to cover my ears to stay out of pain. Note to sound guy: it's much louder in the chairs. The highlight of the show was a duet with Aileen Mapes and Toni Leago Valle (I think) towards the end of the first act. The theme of the dance was competition for dominance in the animal world, and it really showcased the dancers' playfulness. The most puzzling dance involved the image of a tanker parked just off the coast. The music was dark and threatening, and the dance seemed to imply that tankers are bad, but not really why. There were a few sections where the dancers actually moved in unison, and it was a welcome relief from everyone dancing on stage doing something different. [A snarky side note: the program contained an insert showing names of donors to the company for the past four years. What are the company directors saying by listing themselves as donors? And why haven't they donated this year?!] [One more thing - yea for Jennifer de Vega Haines for including mention of her dachshund in her bio!]