eXpressions show is eXcellent

The eXpressions Dance Company is a group with the reputation of having some of the most talented female dancers on campus. This production, the eXpressions Spring Show, only serves to solidify its reputation.

Ranging from hip-hop to ballet to jazz to lyrical to break dancing, the show covers a wide spectrum. It is short and entertaining, and the dancers are prepared and professional.

The show's best asset is the dancers themselves. Almost all have very strong technique, and the group as a whole appears polished. The dancers are almost always in sync and are spatially aware, even in the group pieces for which a large number of dancers have to fit on the tiny stage. Because the production contains many different styles of dancing, each dancer's strong points are showcased. The dancers show great emotion with their bodies and faces and really sell each number.

The lighting design for the show, by Mike Hasling '10 and Dan Gilday '10, adds to the quality of the production. The lights are in tune with the tone of the piece, shifts in the music and the choreography, enhancing the tone and focusing the audience's eyes.

The choreography is the weakest aspect of the show. Many of the dances are indistinct and unoriginal. The choreographers seemed to piece together complicated dance moves that look cool rather than choosing meaningful movements. The choreography is rote rather than innovative and lacks individuality.

Another weak point is the music itself. Some of the songs are not matched well with the choreography, and some are repetitive and not particularly interesting. Additionally, many of the songs are well known; more creative choices could have been added to the show.

All that said, however, one piece really stands out. "A Murder But Not A Crime," choreographed by Chloe Angyal '09, steals the show. Set to "Cell Block Tango" from the musical "Chicago," this piece is a joy to watch. Angyal's choreography is very sensitive to both the intricacies of the music and to the individual voices of the characters in the humorous song. Each of the six dancers is featured in a solo, as each woman in the song explains why she killed her significant other. The choreography reflects the personalities, emotions and inflections of each character. The choreography also shows sensitivity to the piece as a whole: The larger picture is aesthetically pleasing. The costumes are wonderful, and the lighting is, again, very strong, highlighting each of the soloists and the changes in characters' personalities.

Other strong points included "A Little Bit of You," choreographed by Erin Muckey '08, and "A Real Humdinger," choreographed by Jessi Somple '08. Both pieces are very entertaining. The dancers, again, present their pieces explosively — the energy in their bodies and expressions on their faces make you want to dance too.

While the choreography in this show is generally its weakest point, as a whole the performance is fun to watch. The dancers' technique and stage presence are wonderful. It is clear that they've put a lot of effort into this show, and their hard work pays off. This eXpressions Spring Show is highly entertaining and worth seeing.

This review is based on a Tuesday night rehearsal. The eXpressions Spring Show opens Thursday, running April 5-7 at 8 p.m. in the Frist Performance Theater.