Neil Greenberg and Christopher K. Morgan each offer new dances this weekend
“Growing up gay in the ’60s and ’70s in Minnesota, at first I was just who I was — this little dancing boy,” says Neil Greenberg. But by junior high school, Greenberg was being told not to be that way. “Suddenly I was being jeered at in the halls every day.”
That experience with identity and labeling, presentation and interpretation, is at the heart of the work of this New York-based choreographer. This weekend at Rockville’s American Dance Institute, or ADI, Greenberg will offer a sneak preview of his latest evening-length dance called This, featuring five dancers including himself. “A lot of what we’re doing with This is showing something and then showing it again a little differently… sort-of like being able to see an object from different sides,” he says.
Of course, This is just one of two new dances by noted gay choreographers on offer in the area this weekend.
The other is Christopher Morgan’s Inconstancy, to be performed at the Alden in the McLean Community Center. Featuring original music by violinist David Schulman, Morgan’s new work is a “quirky and fun” look at the notion of satisfaction and status that comes from a relationship. “When you see someone else’s relationship, sometimes it looks better than what you have,” he explains. “It invokes the wandering eye, [or] trying to outdo another couple that you see.”
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Inconstancy is part of a mixed-repertory program featuring the locally based choreographer’s company, which will perform abstract works loosely tied together on themes of wondering about, and dreaming of, a different or better life. The program includes a couple of Morgan’s older works, with original music written and performed live by electric cellist Wytold, as well as a debut work by Tiffanie Carson, assistant director of Christopher K. Morgan & Artists. “We’re very blessed to have a dual residency,” Morgan says about his company, noting that it calls both the Alden and ADI home. Morgan also now teaches at the University of Maryland.
For his part, Greenberg, who danced with the late Merce Cunningham in the ’80s and now teaches choreography at New York’s New School, leapt at the chance to make his debut at ADI with his new work, which he’s developing with designers Steve Roden and Joe Levasseur, on sound and lights respectively. “It’s a very desired booking for any choreographer,” Greenberg says about ADI. “I’m thrilled to be performing there.”
Neil Greenberg presents This on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m., at the American Dance Institute, 1501 East Jefferson St., Rockville. Tickets are $31.25. Call 301-984-3003 or visit americandance.org.
Christopher K. Morgan & Artists presents Inconstancy on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m., at the Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave, Mclean, Va. Tickets are $30. Call 202-347-3909 or visit christopherkmorgan.com.
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