Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall
$50, $45, $15; Five College, GCC and 17 & under $15, $12, $10
With its mix of acrobatic dexterity, inventive wit, and startling imagery, this internationally acclaimed company transforms itself into striking sculptural expressions that are “clever, endearing, and physically awesome” (The Los Angeles Times). Pilobolus Dance Theatre returns to the FAC for more spectacle and daring surprises.
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Family Alphabet Workshop with Pilobolus
Sunday, February 21, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Lobby
This playful, productive and fast-paced workshop for families and people of all ages and abilities will create a unique community Family Alphabet. Children and adults will team up to take on the challenge of creating all the letters for a human alphabet. Limited to 30 participants (priority given to families), early registration necessary. Call (413) 545-0190 or email hrathbun@admin.umass.edu.
A great show. We went on a whim, buying our tickets the morning of March 22nd. The performance was light-hearted, beautifully executed and great fun for myself, my wife, and our 10 year old daughter.
Stand out parts? Probably the dance movements on the clear table with undermounted camera. Possibly the Explosions video, which seemed like a glimpse into a thirteen year old boy’s mind.
We will be far more frequent visitors to the FAC!
Creativity is an understatement. The fluidity and athleticism was amazing.
If anyone questions how the mass of humanity can work together as one-body, Pilobolus is the prime example of how well we CAN do so.
Having seen (it seems like eons, was last century) in Fairfield CT…so very glad for the opportunity to see in Amherst.
Once again the FAC hosted a fabulous evening. Pilobolus performed a stunning show from start to finish. My husband and I thought that after On The Nature Of Things, it would be hard to follow such a riveting work. When the dancers followed up with All Is Not Lost, we were delighted by the creativity and sheer fun of the piece. The final piece Megawatt, was as vibrant as its name. We were just about out of breath watching the frenetic activity on stage. Everyone left the auditorium in high spirits. The animated shorts in between the dances was an added bonus. We especially enjoyed all the puns in The Deep and Fresh Guacamole. Thanks FAC for another wonderful season of performances.
Pilobolus was intense! The pieces were each so different – and the film shorts during set changes were brilliant. A last minute decision to go w a dear friend, we watched from the 2nd mezzanine, thereby able to capture the full stage choreography of not just the performers, but the outstanding affects of the lighting. Though each piece provoked thought and surprised my senses, it was the piece w the door prop that stirred me the most. I kept trying to have it make sense, the ins and outs through the spinning door, the spatial challenges beautifully filled w dance and emotion. I can still feel it …
I enjoyed this all immensely. The dancers are limber, strong, graceful, and expressive. Some of the movements in the first dance looked like they were swimming in air! The kaleidascope effect over the camera was a hoot. The tumbling looked like a lot of fun but the dancers were in full control. The music added a good bit. The short films were wonderfal additions that covered the short but necessary stage setups. Definitely a hit.
So glad I picked up a ticket at the last moment. This was one of the most enjoyable dance performances I have ever seen, and I have seen an incredible number. The fluidity and strength of the dancers was impressive, along with the creativity of the concepts and choreography. The clever film shorts were entertaining additions. I loved the Deep and Fresh Guacamole. As to a favorite, the first piece “On the Nature of Things” was exceptional with iconic imagery, innovative movement and explorations of physical and emotional entanglements. It was sparse and rich, and provoked comparisons to the most impressive sculptures and art depicting biblical and mythological beings and themes. To me only the title fell short – as this was not about things but about human nature and relationship, with reference to the divine. Thresh/Hold was also captivating with it’s combination of movement, staging, and again physical and emotional expression. Thank-you FAC and Pilobolus!
I attended a Pilobolus performance at the FAC many years ago, and only yesterday morning bought my ticket to see them again. I’m so glad I did: the evening was immensely rewarding. Each piece was a showcase for fresh ideas and the dancers’ disciplined physicality. I can’t even say which piece was my favorite because they were all different and original. The short films in between were an unexpected bonus.
A mixed evening. “On the Nature of Things” was very strong, but also very reminiscent of Lar Lubovich’s “Fandango.” “All Is Not Lost” was as fresh, imaginative and entertaining as you’d expect with OK Go involved. But then…
“Tresh/Hold” was just a lot of running around looking unhappy — probably because they had to wear those sports bras and ugly clothes. It was more about the manipulation of the prop door than anything else. “The Pedaler” was amusing but forgettable. “Megawatt” started off terrifically and ended well, but lost focus in the middle.
I’m glad I went, but this wasn’t one of the stronger programs I’ve seen from them.
This was the first Pilobolus performance we’ve seen and won’t be the last. We were blown away. Their dances were inspiring, provoking, sensuous and unique. They brought great emotion and energy to all their movements. It is clear to see why they are favorites. Even the short films were quite entertaining. Kudos to Pilobolus and the FAC for bringing them here.
I loved it: collaborative choreography, exact timing, super-human bodies– flexible as snakes, strong as horses– and seeming at times weightless. The first dance on the 30-inch platform took first place for me. We waited to buy tickets and watched from Row DD through binoculars. [Perhaps in big spaces, like the FAC, Pilobolus might project the whole performance on big screens.] Magnifying the rubber duckies in the Birthday Party helped understand it, but without binoculars they were only yellow blobs. I especially want to read about Thresh|Hold, because, like Michael said this morning, it’s lingering, I keep recalling it, feeling I should have insight, but not yet “getting it.”
I took 14 of my choreography students to Pilobolus last night and was so glad I did. We reflected on the performance in class today and they were inspired with many new ideas. It’s always great to expose my students to the caliber of work that the Fine Art Center presents. I’m very grateful.
Amazing performance! Captivating, without a dull moment. The energy and precision of the dancers was evident and absolutely incredible to watch at a spectacular venue. Very grateful for the accessibility of students to performances such as this.
Great performance! My kids loved it too. The glass table top reminded me of the June Taylor dancers. The birthday dance witb the bicycle energizer was also great as was the last routine with the incredible musical score. Every bit as entertaining as a cirque du soleil event without the gimmicks