Thursday September 13, 2012 - John-Mark Owen's Presents...REQUIEM opened tonight at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. A setting of the Mozart REQUIEM, the ballet was performed with commitment by a very fine ensemble of dancers. Unfortunately for me, the performance fell on a day when I was dealing with major personal problems. For a time in the afternoon, I debated simply staying home; but I wanted to honor my commitment and I thought getting out might be a good idea under the circumstances. But I was wrong.
The darkness and brutality of the production compounded my feelings of despair, and this morning I find that I am simply unable to write about the evening. Perhaps at some later point in time I will be in a better frame of mind and can add some thoughts about REQUIEM, but for now I simply want to share these images that photographer Brian Krontz produced from the dress rehearsal.
Above: Aaron Mattocks (standing, center) has a major role in REQUIEM
John-Mark Owen, Josh Christopher
Aaron Mattocks, Kerry Shea, Amy Brandt
Kerry Shea, Amy Brandt
The ensemble in the Lacrimosa
Josh Christopher, Amy Brandt
Aaron Mattocks, Josh Christopher, Amy Brandt
John-Mark Owen
Josh Christopher
I congratulate John-Mark on this brave under-taking, and I want to express my appreciation to all of the dancers involved for their excellent work, notably Amy Brandt, Kerry Shea, Aaron Mattocks and most especially Josh Christopher for the unsparing physicality of his performance.
All photographs by Brian Krontz. Click on each image to enlarge.
