Exceptional! Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at the Auditorium Theatre (March 22, 2017)

Walking Mad, the second performance tonight, is a magical piece. It begins with a man entering the stage in front of the curtain. He walks center stage and then seems to lift the curtain revealing a large wall on the stage. He approaches the wall to inspect it and then suddenly the wall pushes him towards the front of the stage. The wall is very interactive with the ability to move, spin, fold down, and split apart. It also has doors that open which the dancers often use. It makes for a fascinating show.

 

Ravel’s Bolero plays during this piece and it’s a perfect fit. It sets the fun playful mood at the start of the relationship. When one of the dancers appears to reach behind the wall and steal the hat off another dancer from over 40ft away, the entire audience laughs. They are also delighted when she then runs behind the wall throwing clothes in the air and then jumps on the male dancer. The music stops for a very intense scene in which the wall folds to form a corner in which the girl hides. Finally, the music transforms into sadness as the couple splits up. It’s an emotional journey expertly expressed through exceptional dancing.

Get your tickets for Alvin Ailey now through Sunday!

Quinn Delaney