The Catskill Chronicle

Review by Barry Plaxen

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY (July 16, 2011) – As part of its Summer Events Program, Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) presented the New York City-based Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company on July 14 in the beautiful Seelig Theatre in Loch Sheldrake.

Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company was founded in 1972 by Ronn Pratt, Dolores Vanison-Blakley, and Miriam Greaves to provide a platform for minority dancers and choreographers. A creative venue for artists and a safe haven for inner-city youth, it has served thousands for almost four decades.

Watching the four works offered on the program, one can easily see why the word “theatrical” is part of the company’s name. With choreography by Artistic Director, Enrique Cruz DeJesus, and Eleo Pomare, a high-school-mate of this writer, four highly theatrical works with totally different styles and natures were offered:

A wonderfully entertaining though serious work of urban stories comprised of urban movements and urban attitudes: “Crossroads to Hathaway,” (photo left) with music by Donny Hathaway, cleverly combined ballet and modern dance movements with popular styles.

A most curious portrayal in movement of a modern-day leather / cycle person, “Narcissus Rising,” (photo right) performed by Donna Clark. Dressed in what one considers male leather attire, Ms. Clark elegantly offered up male movements and postures as a serious expression and a non-judgmental comment on the male sexual connection to motorcycles and leather. Perhaps the ladies in the audience did not see this as a male expression, but I did not ask my guest or others how they saw it.

Three females from Haiti caught on a raft in a stormy sea, telling us a story via exquisite and profound movements. Garbed in Caribbean dress (photo left and below), they conveyed feelings of fear from the life they left behind and hope for the life ahead of them: “Radeau (Raft)”.

And finally, “Pegao,” a tribute to the legendary composer Tito Puente. This was less serious than the other three offerings and was most uplifting in its joyful mesh of Broadway-ish / Salsa-ish energetic and rhythmic movements.

The well-trained dancers – too numerous to mention – were extremely expressive and communicative which overrode the disappointment of having such a small audience. Shame on all the area dance-lovers, students and choreographers for missing this top drawer company while it performed for us in Sullivan County .

A most interesting program of SCCC events follows later this summer, the final Live from the Met in HD re-runs in July 20 and 27, a comedic children’s theatre presentation of “Honk, Jr.” on July 22 and 23, a Celtic music-dance program on July 28, and in August, a “Stomp”-like group of drummers and dancers, Circus Acrobats, and a Rags-Blues-Jazz piano concert.

For more information, dates and tickets, call 845-434-5750, ext. 4472.

All performances are also listed in the calendars of the D&H CANVAS arts & entertainment newspaper.