Ghosts of memory unleashed: Palissimo's Painted Bird Trilogy at La MaMa

I find myself once again in the lovely Playhouse at the Abrons Arts Center, which on this occasion hosts the world première of the new piece by Palissimo – the intrepidly inventive troupe helmed by the choreographer Pavel Zuštiak.

From its very opening moments, Amidst, a production of Pavel Zustiak’s company Palissimo presented as part of Performance Space 122’s COIL 2013 festival, packs a powerfully evocative punch.

Luke Murphy’s duet for himself and Carlye Eckert, Drenched, was surprisingly well-suited to the smaller First Floor Theater at La MaMa Moves! festival, but failed to bring to light any new ideas or juxtapositions of its male–female relationship theme.

Netta Yerushalmy’s Devouring Devouring at La MaMa was the proof that I have needed of late to know that a piece can be interesting and wholly watchable, based solely on the facility and performance quality of the dancers involved. That is not to say that Ms Yerushalmy’s work was boring; on the contrary, I found myself deeply invested from beginning to end.

Acclaimed violinist and 2024 MacArthur Fellow Johnny Gandelsman invited four choreographers to join him on a marathon through Bach's six cello suites. His musicianship was the highlight of the evening. 

Anthony Tudor and Merce Cunningham provided the lighter fare in a mixed bill that featured two world premieres from Kevin Iega Jeff, a veteran of the Chicago dance scene, and Julian Donahue, a newer voice.