Keigwin and Company Closes Pillow Season
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| Photo Courtesy of Jacob’s Pillow |
The company performs artistic director Larry Keigwin’s most recent creation, Elements, an evening-length work consisting of four suites inspired by earth, water, air, and fire, with a variety of music ranging from classical to hip-hop. Keigwin’s inventive, delightful and human interpretations of each of the four nature-inspired suites showcase a dance language that is witty and emotional at the same time. The New York Times writes, “Keigwin achieves astonishing feats of dancing…a parcel of pure explosive energy mediated by impressive technical skills.”
“Larry Keigwin’s dances are uplifting and all-out physical. He’s a nimble dancemaker who can take the audience from full-out comedy to quiet emotional beauty in a NY minute. Everyone feels invited to the party,” comments Ella Baff, Executive Director of Jacob’s Pillow.
Elements premiered on July 28, 2008 and the Jacob’s Pillow run will mark some of the first performances of the work. Keigwin’s playful, sensual, and imaginative interpretations of earth, water, air and fire are set to a wide range of music including classical composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frédéric Chopin, Emmy Award-winner Eartha Kitt, American rapper Unk, country music singer Patsy Cline, blues and jazz singer and songwriter Etta James, Italian-American singer and television star Perry Como, and the American New Wave band Devo. Keigwin’s choreography is known for its delightful physicality, absurd humor, and subtle but revealing moments of humanity. Claudia La Rocco of The New York Times comments, "Threaded through the delicious silliness, itself no small thing, is Mr. Keigwin's thoughtful analysis of interpersonal relationships and internal workings."
Larry Keigwin first performed at Jacob’s Pillow with contemporary dance/theatre troupe Jane Comfort and Company in 1999. He established his own company in 2003 and was presented by the Pillow on the Inside/Out series at the Marcia & Seymour Simon Performance Space that same year. The company was also featured as part of the 2008 Jacob’s Pillow Season Opening Gala, performing excerpts from Love Songs.
The ensemble has performed throughout New York City and as part of numerous festivals. Artistic director, choreographer, and dancer Keigwin earned his B.A. from Hofstra University and has since choreographed and performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and for dance companies including Zenon Dance Company and Dendy Dance & Theater. From 1997 – 2000, he was the associate artistic director of Dendy Dance & Theater, and received a Bessie Award in 1998 for his performance in Dream Analysis. In addition to his choreographic work with Keigwin + Company, his recent commissions include The Martha Graham Dance Company, The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, and the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute. He has appeared in the Broadway show Dance of the Vampires as well as the Julie Taymor Academy Award-nominated film Across the Universe. Keigwin also created Keigwin Kabaret, a fusion of modern dance, vaudeville, and burlesque acts presented in New York City. Inspired by backstage events of live theater, Keigwin Kabaret’s work is intelligent with hints of irony often featuring special guest stars.
In a preview of the engagement in the Doris Duke Studio Theatre, Keigwin + Company performs at Inside/Out on the Marcia & Seymour Simon Performance Space August 20, 6:30pm. This showing is free and open to the public. Additionally, artistic personnel from Keigwin + Company will lead a master class August 24, 10:30am, which is open to intermediate and advanced dancers for a nominal fee.
For more information on Keigwin + Company and Jacob’s Pillow, visit www.larrykeigwin.com and www.jacobspillow.org.
