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Karlie Budge

The Hard Nut

December 19, 2024

The main difference is the delightfully over-the-top, campy production that takes the audience into the fertile mind of Mark Morris and his artistic colleagues. The mostly black and white scenic design by Adrianne Lobel features circular prosceniums within circular prosceniums, exaggerated furniture and, wittily, a gigantic world map with lights indicating where the different ethnic dances—Chinese, Spanish, Russian---are from, as if Martin Pakledinaz’s hilarious costumes didn’t already tell the story. [more]

The Look of Love (Mark Morris Dance Group)

March 27, 2024

"The Look of Love" was filled with Morris’ least complex choreography, relying on repetition, walking, running and soft leg extensions along with simple arm gestures.  Considering the sophistication and elegance of Iverson’s arrangements for the MMDG Music Ensemble, Morris, whose musicianship is his best feature, clearly decided to go for the obvious and easily digestible.  Nothing wrong with this approach, but it made "The Look of Love" appear less substantial than it really was. [more]