Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT) presents a world premiere: The Pageant – a crossover/mixed-arts offering that stretches the skill set of the company’s dancers and pleases the audience.
GHDT’s programs are always full of story-telling and relatable emotions, but The Pageant takes these elements another step upward.
With his dance troupe, Mr. Hancock has created a piece that combines the dancers’ impressive skills for movement with additional spoken-word thespianic endeavors. For example: Thomas Mason is cast here as the pageant’s emcee. He dances – but he also announces, he provides wry sidebar remarks and expressions, he involves himself with the contestants as any emcee might on a pageant stage. He is perhaps engaged more as an actor than as a dancer.
Likewise, the dancers playing the crown-seeking hopefuls are present outside of dance expression. They all have dance solos, but the characterizations go beyond that – they play conflict and caring akin to a musical comedy genre. Also they show other skills – some sing, some act out Shakespeare, some do martial arts, some do gardening demonstrations – always in character and in the framework of a beauty pageant.
They have even included improvisation in the show as each contestant is interviewed with a question they actually have never heard before. And no one really knows who the winner is until the end. It is different every show.
Harper Lynn Beavers (Josie Moody) at the center of the Evening Gown competition. (Photo by Can Toksoy)
In other words, The Pageant is unlike anything I have ever seen GHDT offer before. It is a very clever and fun departure and it works.
Oh, as expected, there are many extraordinary dances, but we are treated far beyond that. And as expected, costuming by Mr. Hancock is an amazing eyeful and music choices are grand.
Bottom line: This very unique program is presented at The Florence, 329 Gradle Drive, Carmel, a smaller venue which makes the performances even more impactful as the performers seem within arm’s length at times. Have I made the point that this is like nothing else we have seen from GHDT before? I hope you go see it and experience it for yourself.
Performances run through Feb. 22. Times vary depending on date. Tickets for The Pageant can be purchased by calling (800) 515-2171 or online at GregoryHancockDanceTheatre.org.
Read more great play reviews from A Seat on the Aisle at asota.wordpress.com.