By Mark Lowry
Special to the Star-Telegram
Photo by Perry Langenstein: Emily Hunter in Bruce Wood's Surrender.
FORT WORTH -- Before Texas Dance Theatre opened its third season, news was out that the company is suffering from that nasty affliction that preys on arts groups: financial trouble. If the group wants to survive, perhaps it should exploit its best asset, as demonstrated at Saturday night's "Fall Mixed Rep" concert: Emily Hunter.
Hunter, a choreographer and dancer, was the star of three of the five works, all sandwiched between two pieces by Artistic Director Wil McKnight. Two were dances that she choreographed, both premieres.
Haven, set to music by Samuel Barber, used dancers Josie Baldree, Natalie Bracken and Erin Labhart in an elegant contemporary ballet, following a diagonal track on the Scott Theatre stage, arms flowing. In Hunter's Self/Imposed, Baldree danced an introspective solo, exhibiting solid classical technique, to J.S. Bach.
Hunter shone brightest with an emotional performance as the soloist in the premiere of Bruce Wood's Surrender, set to an aria from Catalani's opera La Wally, sung by Maria Callas. In a floor-length, billowy black gown, Hunter began on the floor, in a pile of leaves. She tried to get up, then dived back into the leaves and moved her feet with her hands before finally emerging victorious. Several of Wood's signature movements, including fast, expressive arms, were on display. Hunter lent both vulnerability and strength.
McKnight's New World (music by Philip Glass and Yo-Yo Ma) opened the program, making smart use of groupings of dancers, but there were a few bobbles in the ensemble. His premiere, Let's Fall in Love, using Cole Porter tunes, was more successful and worked best in sections with fewer dancers.
Natalie Bracken was the standout in the taut and exuberant Anything Goes, and Baldree and the ensemble had fun with musical theater formations in Let's Do It.
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