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Zellerbach Hall
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Berkeley, CA

Trey McIntyre Project's Farewell Tour Entertaining

by Joanna G. Harris
March 21, 2014
Zellerbach Hall
Bancroft Way at Telegraph
(2430 Bancroft Ave.)
Berkeley, CA 94704
510.642.9988
Joanna G. Harris
Author, Beyond Isadora: Bay Area Dancing, 1916-1965. Regent Press, Berkeley, CA, 2009. Contributor to reviews on culturevulture.net
The Trey McIntyre Project (TMP) came to Berkeley for a weekend of farewell performances. Artistic director Trey McIntyre was disbanding his Idaho-based company after events this June at Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts. He will turn his attention to film and TV. As a contemporary ballet company, TMP specialized in high energy, athletic, acrobatic, lively…and sometimes humorous dances.

The program featured two ballets,the world premiere of "The Vinegar Works: Four Dances of Moral Instruction," and the west coast premiere of "Mercury Half-Life".

"The Vinegar Works" took its title from the writer/cartoonist Edward Gorey's book of the same name. Volume I, the poems of "The Gashlycrumb Tinies are morbid and satirical but well mimed and designed. Research provided the following background: Gorey tells the tale of 26 children (each representing a letter of the alphabet) and their untimely deaths in rhyming dactylic couplets, accompanied by the author's distinctive black and white illustrations.

Gorey's book was adapted for the stage by Brue Bui, (costumes), Raqel Davis, (Lighting) and Dan Luce and Michael Curry (Puppets and Prop Design). These designs (especially the large Death puppet) dominated the presentation. Brett Perry gave the alphabetical rhymes in dance/mime. His skilled performance set the tone for the rest. John Speed Or, Chanel DaSilva, Benjamin Behrends and Amber Mayberry in "the Beastly Baby", Travis Walker, Ashley Werhun and Rachel Sherak as "The Deranged Cousins" and the collected group in the finale, "The Disrespectful Summons" all performed marvelously. "The Vinegar Works" really worked for me.

For this reviewer, the second number on the show "Mercury Half Life" set to the music of rock group Queen did not please. The choreographic structure, often seen these days, consists of an endless number of solos and duets, interrupted by short choruses danced in various states of dress and undress. The ballet's white costumes by Melissa Schlactmeyer were the most intriguing…white jackets and skirts that were stripped down to panties and shirts. The movement was lively, acrobatic and jazzy. It consisted of ballet lifts and modern dance falls interspersed with some tap dancing. The audiences howled with delight to hear the songs "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions.

On the whole, TMP's program provided excellent entertainment, superb dancing, but limited choreographic design.
Trey McIntyre Project in 'The Vinegar Works: Four Dances of Moral Instruction'. Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

Trey McIntyre Project in "The Vinegar Works: Four Dances of Moral Instruction". Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.


Trey McIntyre Project in 'The Vinegar Works: Four Dances of Moral Instruction'. Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

Trey McIntyre Project in "The Vinegar Works: Four Dances of Moral Instruction". Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.


Trey McIntyre Project in ''Mercury Half Life'. Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

Trey McIntyre Project in ""Mercury Half Life". Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.


Trey McIntyre Project in ''Mercury Half Life'. Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

Trey McIntyre Project in ""Mercury Half Life". Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.


Trey McIntyre Project in ''Mercury Half Life'. Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

Trey McIntyre Project in ""Mercury Half Life". Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project.

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