Music From The Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay
An exuberant troop of singing dancers and musicians prances and sashays its way down an aisle to the stage. Rhythm is so infectious the audience spontaneously claps in time. Smiles light up where furrowed brows had been. The colorfully attired company (costumes by Dede Ayite) includes a wide variety of ethnicity and shape. As dancers step onto a wood board/platform on which tap sounds resonate, musicians peel off to either side. Instruments include: drums, synthesizer, electric guitar, sax, flute, cello and bass.
Roxy King, Lucas Santana, Orlando Hernandez, Ana Tomioshi
Moving as a single organism, eight performers tap in unison successively turning in each direction, exiting and returning as interacting fours and solos. Expressive arms have sufficient room to extend, bend, swing, rotate; legs to kick out. Expressions are buoyant. Melody comes and goes; percussion sustains.
Soloists detach: Naomi Funaki seems a dancing sprite. She exudes joy with precision taps and traveling. Feet move so fast they appear winged. Gerson Lanza’s style is tight and close; at the same time scrupulous and insouciant.The porkpie hat wouldn’t dare fly off. A dance-off between these two is captivating.
Gisela Silva has syncopation in her bones. She jumps, bucks, and flaps as naturally as walking. Dance Captain Ana Tamioshi wears the biggest grin onstage. Meticulous movement arrives with graceful sweep. Roxy King (the only one not smiling) exudes sass. Feet tap close to the floor.
Choreographer/dancer Leonardo Sandoval has a palette that includes every color of tap. With The Nicholas and Hines Brothers as inspiration, he incorporates iconic Harlem steps with his own Brazilian variations to produce original fluency. It’s clear there’s no place he’d rather be.
Orlando Hernandez and Lucas Santana round out the company with skill and obvious pleasure.
Gerson Lanza, Gisele Silva, Jose Cruzata, Leonardo Sandoval, Roxy King, Lucas Santana
Lighting Design (Kathy Kaufman) carries the mood of each number. An orb/the sun intermittently materializes. The company logo – two geometric shapes – changes color when apparent, but feels intrusive. Music is appealing, percussion marvelous.
An hour of I Didn’t Come Here to Stay (perhaps Sandoval’s feeling about New York) is just right. There’s warmth to the company, palpable cross appreciation. Performers are accomplished. The program is fun.
Read my interview with Leonardo Sandoval.
Music From The Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay
Choreography – Leonardo Sandoval – with improvisation by the dancer
Music – Gregory Richardson with Leonardo Sandoval, Jose Carlos Cruzata Reve, Josh Davis, Noe Kains, Jennifer Vincent
Photos by Titus Ogilvie Laing
Opening: Josh Davis, Jose Cruzata, Leonardo Sandoval, Gisele Silva, Gerson Lanza, Naomi Funaki, Lucas Santana, Ana Tomioshi, Orlando Hernandez
The Joyce Theater
175 8th Ave
Through February 4, 2024
