Full 'Disclosure': diSiac dominates

I'll just tell you right off the bat: See the diSiac spring show. This is the best dance show I've seen at Princeton. DiSiac is a large dance company comprised of extremely talented dancers, and more than ever, their talent and hard work shine through in their latest production, "Disclosure."

My complaint with many of the dance groups at Princeton has always been that the level of talent among dancers covers far too wide a spectrum, causing less experienced dancers to stand out.

This common problem is no longer a problem for diSiac. The performers now act like a unified company. They dance in sync at a very high level, are aware of one another on stage and showcase their versatility in pieces exhibiting a wide spectrum of styles.

And they are a delight to watch. It is clear that the dancers are putting their hearts into this show. The expressiveness of their faces and bodies makes the pieces come alive for the audience.

In general, strong choreography makes dancers look good, but in "Disclosure," the dancers look great. The show is filled with innovative, detailed and creative choreography that kept the pieces in "Disclosure" from blending together in my mind; each is distinct and memorable.

One standout is "A Fire, A Fire is Burning," choreographed by Margaret Fuhrer '06. The dancers wear white gloves, and their hands are lit by a line of light as they make patterns in the air corresponding to the syncopated rhythm of the song. The other dancers plunge in and out of the line, their bodies thrown into the music. They seem to lose control, then recompose themselves and rejoin the pattern of the white gloves. This piece is completely different from anything I've ever seen, and it is fascinating to watch. Both the choreography and the dancers are impeccable.

The piece "...For I Have Sinned," choreographed by Jessica Baylan '08, is also remarkable. When it begins, a projection of a stained-glass window appears in the background. Each of the dancers holds a small candle in prayer. A priest swings a rosary and lantern in and out of darkness. Gradually, the dancers line up in prayer, each one falling into sin and dancing the sin itself. The interpretations of sin, especially the romantic relationship between two men, are wonderful. The haunting choreography strengthens the impact of the piece. Another stellar piece is the all-male dance, "Wall Street Crew," choreographed by Robert Loughlin '09. This piece, an untraditional hip-hop number, is incredibly fun to watch. The dancers, who are dressed in business attire, argue loudly and gesticulate wildly, transitioning into frenzied hip-hop in which they compete to outdo one another. It is both a creative and highly entertaining piece.

The only real drawback of "Disclosure" is that the dancers are crammed into too small a space. Though they make good use of the stage, it just isn't big enough given the size of their company — especially during big group numbers. I was distracted by the space and worried that dancers would either run into one another or a wall. While they are constrained, the dancers do an incredible job of working with the small stage at Theatre Intime.

In sum: Please, please see this show. This is the dance show to see this year. DiSiac has taken dance performances at Princeton to a whole new level.

The diSiac spring show runs April 12-14 at 8 p.m. in Theatre Intime. Tickets available online, at Frist box office or at Intime before the show. Student Events eligible.