Momix, the high-energy dance illusionists, have a large
Philly following, making them a fitting choice to conclude this year’s ’Out of
this World’ series at the Annenberg. The troupe is famous for its eco-exotic
works, peppered with a large dose of physical comedy. This weekend they perform
director-choreographer Moses Pendleton’s "reMIX," a retrospective
mash-up of excerpts from the company’s signature works.
But last weekend Pendelton traded his choreographer’s hat for that of a
gardener during a touring break. He was planting sunflowers, trying to beat the
rain, at his Connecticut
studio, when he took some time for a phone interview.
"We’ve been touring ’ReMIX’ here and in Europe
and it’s going pretty well," he said.
Pendleton noted that in Philly the troupe is performing newer works,
including his "Baths of Caracalla" set to "a Buddha lounge score."
This dance is for five women and is evocative of different eras as the dancers’
costumes transform from garments to dazzling fan dances.
Another work,"Table Talk," is a hypnotic acrobatic dance for soloist
Steven Marshall performing on a table. "Steven is an extraordinary dancer
with amazing physique and very virtuosic. He is definitely at one with his
partner," Pendleton said.
They will also perform "If You Need Some Body," Pendleton’s newest
piece set to music of Bach. "We are using slapstick, well actually, it’s
slap-body, with 10 dancers and 10 dummies dancing to Bach."
But those who have come to expect Momix’s signature mix of illusions and
eco-friendly subjects (seen in such works as "E.C.,"
"Sputnik," and "Solar Flares") will likely delight in
"Open Cactus," one of their more popular works. Inspired by the giant
Saguaro cactus of the American Southwest, the piece includes depictions of
desert flora, fauna, lizards and atmospherics conjured by the dancers.
Also revived are the "Marigolds," "Moon Beams" and
"Aqua Flora" sections from their 2010 hit "Botanica," which
Pendleton said they will be touring this summer "in Italy, at the Israel
dance festival and then on to China."
One thing Pendleton looks forward to is the response the troupe will get from
their Philadelphia
fans.
"Philly is one of our favorite stops, we have a lot of fans there and we
want to live up to the expectation. And after all these years, it’s still fun
for me to sit back and watch rather than stress about everything going exactly
right. I hope they show up...," Pendleton joked.
What’s next?
As for what’s next, Pendleton is developing a new work for next season with
the working title "Alchemia."
"It is exploring the natural elements, so I’m burning my pagan ritual
fires up here, for inspiration and rehearsal," he assured. With that,
Pendleton excused himself to return to planting - he had a rainstorm to beat.
"ReMIX" runs at the Annenberg
Center, Philadelphia, PA
from May 17-20. For more information, visit the Annenberg
Center website. For more on Momix, visit the Momix website.
EDGE
http://www.edgephiladelphia.com/entertainment/theatre/features//133147/dance_illusionists_momix_set_for_%E2%80%99remix%E2%80%99