Panoramic View

When a performer is a standard bearer and larger than life in his or her field, it's hard to escape knowing who that person is, even if you only have a passing interest in his or her art. This Phillyist isn't particularly interested in cinema or dramatic theater, for example, but still knows who Orson Welles and John Barrymore are, if only vaguely. Similarly, one cannot be familiar even in passing with modern dance and not have a clue about, and probably even an opinion on, Martha Graham. She, along with the likes of Isadora Duncan (you know, the one with the scarves) and Ruth St. Denis, is credited with laying the foundation for a dance revolution in America, and the world's been reaping the benefits ever since.

We in Philly will be able to immediately reap those rewards this weekend, as the Martha Graham Dance Company performs at the Annenberg Center tonight through Saturday, with a program that includes works that span almost the entirety of Graham's long choreographic career.

The earliest pieces, part of a suite called "Prelude to Revolt: Denishawn to Graham," consist of works by Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, and Graham (her "Lamentation," performed by a seated woman enveloped in purple fabric). The show also includes "Embattled Garden" (1958), which Arlene Croce described as "a straight-faced suburban sex comedy," and "Acts of Light" (1981) from her "neo-classical period" (as interpreted by Anna Kisselgoff), which features a stark set and all white costuming.

While we've seen none of those pieces before, we are by far the most excited by the performance of "Panorama" (1935) in its entirety, a work that had to be recreated from archival footage by Graham dancer Yuriko because notation did not exist for it. Billed as social commentary which examines our Puritan roots and the exploitation of black Americans, the work for 33 dancers, all clad in bright red, is considered epic in the realm of modern dance. University of the Arts students will help fill out the large cast. The set is inspired by the mobile sculpture work of Philly's own Alexander Calder.

Also of interest to Graham fans: The University of the Arts is displaying several Graham sets designed by Noguchi through November 29 in their Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery (333 S. Broad). It will be hard to look at the empty sets and not long to see their dances... but they're so beautiful we'll manage.

Martha Graham Dance Company
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut, 898-3900
Thursday, November 8, 7:30PM
Friday, November 9, 8PM
Saturday, November 10, 2PM and 8PM
$32-46

Dancer Miki Orihara in Panorama; photo courtesy The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts