ARTS . Dance

Spacial Expressions

Tragedy is beauty in Jeanne Ruddy's Breathless.


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Published: Apr 16, 2008

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With Jeanne Ruddy's usual panache in full evidence, her eighth concert, "Obsessions and Expressions," was a treat in more ways than one. Greeted with champagne and a photography exhibit, audience members were in for a second surprise once they moved to the stage, which was once an old auto body shop.

Breathless, a work Ruddy created in 2005 and reimagined this year, is built around Theodore Dreiser's novel An American Tragedy, in which a man drowns his pregnant girlfriend because he thinks he can do better. Ruddy incorporates three similar real-life horror stories that have made local headlines. Breathless' story line is unexpected, difficult and topical — all attributes Ruddy nails as a choreographer.

Beautiful black-and-white video images of watery waves served as the initial backdrop. As the dance unfolded, the images shifted to gorgeous (if eerie) shots of women floating underwater, hair drifting out.

Former Martha Graham principal Ruddy has a dancer's eye for performers, and she's pulled together some of the best. So supple is Janet Pilla that she's virtually a contortionist. Partnered with excellent Rick Callender, the duo made an antagonistic duet into something quite moving.

German Expressionist great Susanne Linke contributed an original work in the gestural movement style of German dance pioneer Mary Wigman. Linke's piece, Quasi Normal, involved brisk walking about the stage — even down behind it, right up against the studio walls.

Meanwhile, local legend Brigitta Herrmann walked calmly through the proceedings. With her white hair streaming behind her, Herrmann seemed equal parts guide, forerunner and magical spirit of the entire experience. Given Herrmann's role in bringing German Expressionism to Philly years ago, it was the perfect touch — almost as perfect as ending with the huge old auto shop doors swinging open, providing the absolutely normal backdrop of Brandywine Street.

(j_anderson@citypaper.net)

Jeanne Ruddy Dance Through April 19, Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St., 215-569-4060, ruddydance.org