Complexions Contemporary Ballet Celebrates 30 Years of Incredible Artistry
Dance Philadelphia Premieres World Premieres
Complexions was founded in 1994 by Alvin Ailey virtuosos Dwight Rhoden, celebrated choreographer, and Desmond Richardson, dancer extraordinaire. What began as a project morphed into a thirty-year sensation featuring performances in twenty countries across six continents, 25 million fans from So You Think You Can Dance, films, TV specials, documentaries and commercials, and recent sold-out engagements at Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce Theater and Music Hall Detroit.
I am an avid fan of this remarkable company with Philly ties. I was first wowed by Richardson’s sculptural beauty, quiet power and irresistible stage presence in the nineties. He made an entrance like a demigod at the Rock School Studio for Barbara Weisberger’s Carlisle Project which explored the African American voice in ballet. The program culminated with behind-the-scenes presentations by some of the world’s top Black choreographers, including Rhoden.
Built on a classical ballet base with a moving torso, Rhoden’s choreography pushes the parameters of the artform. His movement vocabulary consists of outlandish extensions, unbelievable partnering and lifts and frequent eye-catching turns. With Olympian-esc stamina and flexibility, stunning off- and on-center balances and powerful floor work, Rhoden fuses ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, improv, jazz and modern techniques. Complexions has coined the style, “NIQUE,” the official technique taught by the company to prepare dancers for the future. Rhoden states “I always thought that dance is dance. It’s all dance, and we were inspired by the contrast … removing boundaries between styles leads to the understanding that we are all different.”
Philadelphia audiences may have seen Rhoden’s dances on PHILADANCO or Philadelphia Ballet (formerly PA Ballet). The company made its Annenberg Center debut in 2003 with excerpts from Rhoden’s riveting Anthem (to songs including Jimi Hendrix’s iconic “The Star-Spangled Banner”) and Solo, set to Prince performed by his muse, Richardson. The company returned for subsequent performances in 2005 and 2015.
For this triumphant return to our city, Complexions offers three Philadelphia premieres: Elegy, a stunning solo performed by company diva Jillian Davis; the exuberant and effervescent Bach 25 set to music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the tour-de-force, For Crying Out Loud, a forty-minute, full-company work set to an acoustic score by U2 showcasing the dancers’ interpretations to Bono’s raw, emotionally driven vocals and guitar.
Rhoden notes “It almost feels as though he’s proclaiming or crying out but not necessarily in a sad way.” Inspired by U2’s indestructible messages in songs such as “Where the Streets Have No Name”, “Every Breaking Wave”, “Vertigo” and “Pride (In the Name of Love),” Rhoden creates an emotional and vibrant landscape filled with wandering narratives when one faces love, war, loss and redemption. Hollywood Soapbox exclaims, “If there is one thing Complexions knows how to do well (and let’s be honest, they do many things well), it’s their choreographic exploration of rock ‘n’ roll and popular music.”
Rounding out the program is the world premiere of This Time, With Feeling and two repertoire favorites, Choke to music by Vivaldi, and Gone, a sinewy and melodramatic trio. In addition to performances on October 18-19, the company will participate in a post-show talkback on Fri, Oct 18 and conduct a master class as well.