Bloodlines. Photo by Jason Hudson
From The Ballet Herald’s “Pilobolus Trips (Program A) Review: Producing Profound Athletic Art” by Mimi Liu:
For more than fifty years, Pilobolus has been taking dance to new theatrical heights through astonishing strength, ingenuity and physicality.
In Program A of Trips, the title of the company’s three-week return to The Joyce, Pilobolus presented an accessible program featuring a standout performer who stole the show and strong partnering work that continues to redefine what dance means.
Much effort went into engaging a wider audience and making dance more accessible.
As soon as I entered the theater, I realized the show had already begun. The dancers were onstage warming up – rolling on the floor, jogging around the stage, and swiveling their legs – before gathering into a huddle as the audience cheered them on.
Even the pre-show announcement felt more interactive than passive: two dancers stood on either side of the proscenium, gesturing with the precision of flight attendants as they encouraged audience members to silence their phones. The humorous exchange connected easily with a modern-day audience and immediately established an entertaining atmosphere.
Every piece organically flowed into the next, and the thoughtful interludes between the five dances further boosted audience engagement.”