Triple 8 reinvents itself with a mix of pop and tradition

As it appeared in a preview Wednesday night, "Hidden Kisses" opens with three columns of girls silhouetted against a red backdrop. Suddenly, the columns erupt into a fan of human hands moving rhythmically with the music. The effect is jaw-droppingly awesome. It's a great show starter. What follows is a mish-mash of everything from tango to hip-hop to the national dance of the Philippines, with just about everything in between. There is '80s pop, rhythm and blues, Chinese folk songs and pulsing club music. The style is anything but monotonous.

The martial arts pieces are the highlight of the show. These Jackie Chan-style choreographed mini-battles are set everywhere from the gangster underworld of early 20th-century Shanghai to the taproom of a Princeton eating club. The players know their moves, and the unique blend of style and movement makes Triple 8 stand out among the plethora of dance groups on campus.

Another element that makes Triple 8 distinctive is, of course, the traditional Chinese dance upon which the group was originally based. Rather than making these the centerpiece of the show, however, the choreographers have focused on incorporating traditional elements into a more modern style. Creative fusion of the ancient and modern and a blend of Eastern and Western culture characterize the entire show. The dancers already have their traditional fans out by the second number, but they are waving them enthusiastically to the upbeat pop of Prince's "Kiss," not the traditional Chinese melodies that the audience expects.

The company launched an enormous marketing effort in preparation for the show. Little red origami bowls of Hershey's kisses grace every table in Frist, and Wednesday morning a little slip of red paper advertising "Hidden Kisses" was delivered to every mailbox. "We want the campus to know that we're here, that we're ready to have a cross-cultural dialogue, and more importantly, to have fun," said Rebecca Lee '08, the group's publicity chair. She added that though the campus might see Asian dance as bland, Triple 8 strives to be much more than just a group of girls in traditional costumes.

"Hidden Kisses" sets out to play with the stereotypes to which Lee refers. The show twists the audience's expectations. The conservative, traditional Triple 8 that reared its head four years ago is no more; it has been replaced by a fierce new, modern dance group that is quickly taking its place among the ranks of companies like Naacho, diSiac and BodyHype. The music is poppy and upbeat, the costumes are wild and intricate, and the dancing is sexy and playful. It's anything but boring.

"Hidden Kisses: Behind the Screens" is running at Theatre Intime in Murray-Dodge this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Pros: cute and original staging and choreography

Cons: some numbers in Wednesday night's preview could be more polished