Deeply Rooted Dance Theater: Touch November 13, 2009

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (DRDT), which performs choreography based in the African-American traditions of storytelling along with universal themes in contemporary modern dance, invites Chicago audiences to “touch community, touch power, touch intimacy, touch joy” in a concert program, called “Touch,” featuring three premieres and two returning works.
Deeply Rooted Artistic Director Kevin Iega Jeff has choreographed the program’s title work Touch, receiving its world premiere and featuring music by Nina Simone and Bobby McFerrin. “Touch is personal, candid and revealing,” said Jeff. “Its sculptured images are sensual and intimate, reflecting love realized through body to body and soul to soul connections.”
Associate Artistic Director Gary Abbott also has created a world premiere, 53 Inhale (working title), with music by Nico Muhly. The piece explores “images from a middle-aged choreographer, taking a deep breath, preparing for the rest of a creative career,” according to Abbott.
Nicole Clarke-Springer’s work Nine receives its company premiere, with music by Mickey Hart. The piece is crafted with interpretive athleticism and emotional verve and is a physical challenge to the dancer. “Nine reflects my need to hold on to my center of well-being, while being pulled in many different directions,” said Clarke-Springer.
Jeff and Abbott’s 2006 work Ferrotype captures moments in the lives of “plain folk” from the early 20th century; the title refers to a photographic process (also known as a tintype) developed in the 19th century. The music ranges from Gullah Island traditional spirituals and Thomas A. “Georgia Tom” Dorsey to Anton Dvořák, Nikki Giovanni, Ma Rainey, Clarence Williams and Mavis Staples. Sun-Times dance critic Hedy Weiss called Ferrotype an “unquestionable masterpiece,” and Jennifer Dunning wrote in The New York Times that the piece was performed “with Deeply Rooted's signature attention to detail, lithe technical skill and dramatic nuance.”
Also from DRDT’s repertoire is a signature piece, Jeff’s 1991 work Church of Nations, which poses the still-relevant question of whether the houses in which we worship should give consent to war in the name of God. Music is by Ennio Morricone and The Art of Noise.

Official Website: http://www.deeplyrootedproductions.org