I Hear...And See...a "Symphony!"

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By Andrew Martin

                         A glance at the Concise Oxford Dictionary describes a visionary (in terms of being a noun) as, "a person with original ideas about what the future will or could be like." It is therefore baffling as to why an illustration of Rachel Klein doesn't appear directly beside. Easily one of the most exciting wunderkinds of the downtown theatre and performance art scene,

in less than five seasons she's managed to score success as a director, a choreographer, a costume designer, a production designer and in various and sundry other capacities.

Barely on the heels of the triumph that was this past autumn's The Tragedy of Maria Macabre at the Wild Project on East 3rd Street, now she's brought her latest brilliant opus Symphony of Shadows to the world-renowned Dixon Place on Chrystie and Bowery, and she's actually managed to somehow trump herself in the process. In point of fact, Klein is the new Twyla Tharp, the pivotal difference being that her movements and direction actually mean something.

A treatise of dream sequences encompassing thirteen distinct scenaria through the art of terpsichore, the evening may well emerge as one of the most important new dance works of our time. Going back and forth between the tale of The Sleeper at night and also The Daytime, we meet such other recurrent characters as the Sandman, the Succubus, the Doctor, and an assortment of rats, mice, insects and arachnids. In addition, the evening includes a generous smattering of Cirque du Soleil-style aerialism and never once fails to make impeccable use of the space. The story told herein is deliciously abstract and yet simultaneously clear as crystal, and effortless to follow. In point of fact, it may well be as purposeful a fantasie for the dance world as Carmina Burana was when Orff unleashed it as a choral composition.

Performance-wise, those who enjoyed Maria Macabre will once again be swept up by the glorious performances of Eric Schmalenberger, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco and Brian Rubiano and, though your humble reporter didn't possess the good fortune to see Elizabeth Stewart in the title role of that show, she is simply superb here in the role of The Sleeper. It is impossible to list all of the additional members of the company at this writing, but particular standouts include Freddy Mancilla, Ted Caine, Scooter Pie, K-Mazing, Francis Stallings, Nicki Miller and Megan O'Connor. However, all should compliment themselves on a job outstandingly done, and a key element that must also be mentioned is that stage manager Marina Steinberg runs the tightest ship imaginable. Additional kudos must be given to the original score by Sean Hagerty, Rob Lariviere's lighting design, and Jennifer Lynn Laksic's handling of makeup and wardrobe besides every other member of the crew to a man.

Whatever the future may hold for Symphony of Shadows, Rachel Klein's course is clear. This is a young artist who could very easily conquer the world if luck is on her side. And so far, so good.

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