~ Author: Oberon
Wednesday January 10th, 2018 - Virginie Mécène, director of Graham 2, has created a new work to music by composer Tom Hormel. Hormel’s eclectic, richly-orchestrated score draws on many moods, and it prompted Ms. Mécène to explore - in dance - the experiences of newcomers to New York City. Entitled A New Place, the dancework meditates on the feelings of a young woman new to The City who is finding her way in the fast-paced life, dealing with loneliness, and warily seeking a sense of community.
Graham 2 will premiere A New Place later this month at Key West, Florida, accompanied by the South Florida Symphony.
Introducing this evening's studio preview of A New Place, Graham artistic director Janet Eilber discussed with Ms. Mecene the music, her concept of the piece, and the film by Darshan Singh Bhuller which is shown during the dancing. The young Graham 2 dancers demonstrated choreographic motifs from the ballet, which abounds in lifts and nicely-styled partnering, before changing into Jennifer O'CDonnell's costumes - dresses of varied hues for the women - for a full presentation of A New Place.
Photographer Melissa Sherwood provides these images from tonight's studio presentation of A New Place:
Above: Carley Marholin (center) has a prominent role in A New Place
My thanks to Ms. Sherwood, and to Graham publicist Janet Stapleton who arranged things for me and my photographer/friend Nir Arieli. Loved running into Alison Cook Beatty, Lorenzo Pagano, and Tadej Brdnik.
~ Oberon
