RE|Dance members Lucy Vurusic Riner, Taylor Taylor, Corinne Imberski, Michael Estanich, Melanie Neumeier, kt williams, Sarah Lee and Evan Ricaurté in “A Glimpse Through the Walls Where We Might Find God”/Photo: Matthew Gregory Hollis
In the program notes for RE|Dance Group’s new evening-length performance, Michael Estanich says that spiritual themes are “long-lasting” through his work for the company, citing several pieces that share the gentle humanity that characterizes his dance-making. There are his reflections on the sacredness of nature in “Tall Grass” or the tender attention to liminal spaces in the more recent “A Delicate Hand.” In “A Glimpse Through the Walls Where We Might Find God,” playing through January 26 at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, Estanich comes at the subject head-on.
There’s a surprising urgency to the seeking in “A Glimpse”—no internalized moving meditations here—though one is provided at the opening of last weekend’s program in “Only the Shape of You,” a captivating solo choreographed and performed by Corinne Imberski and a fitting companion to Estanich’s piece. (Company member kt williams also presented a new duet, and both williams and Imberski will show two different pieces the second weekend.) By contrast, “A Glimpse” takes off running, with williams rigorously dashing and reaching when the lights come up, weaving between six tall, narrow, window-like set pieces and seven other dancers in repose or standing quietly to the side. They unhurriedly rise and join her, and the movement softens as dancers sway, peeking around the sides of the windows or tipped forward and balancing on one foot, rotating this way like the hands of a clock or the shadow of a sundial.
Evidence for the divine is presented verbally too. Some spoken text is poetic, nature-steeped scenes penned by Estanich; the rest is from Thomas Aquinas. Throughout “A Glimpse,” Estanich recites (not in order) the Dominican saint’s five proofs for the existence of God. The first argument, “Motion,” leads into an energetic group sequence. Partnering in twos, threes, fours and more, the dancers assist, catch, fly, and hold one another aloft. The fourth argument, “Gradation,” sparks an exuberant moment of unison that breaks out into little playful ripples in small trios. The fifth argument, “Design,” offers a comedic moment. The third argument, phrased as “Possibility,” returns the dancers gently and gradually back to the floor. For Estanich, possibility may be the most compelling evidence for something greater than ourselves; in the program notes he confesses to being saddened by the current atmosphere of division and isolationism, and thriving most “in surroundings filled with others’ curiosity and potential.”
It’s hard to think of a more fitting venue for “A Glimpse” than Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s longtime home in Ebenezer Lutheran Church: the themes drawn from Christian theology, the modern set pieces in conversation with the stained-glass window flanking the performance space, the kindred spirit of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble as host. Sincerity, generosity and humanity underpin RE|Dance’s performances, from the heartfelt welcome from co-founder and executive director Lucy Vurusic Riner to the moment the lights come up—qualities we could all use more of, especially now.
RE|Dance’s “A Glimpse Through the Walls Where We Might Find God” at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, 1650 West Foster, is through January 25. Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20-$50, available at givelively.org.
