Photography by Joseph Lambert
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT ME!
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT ME!
"The final work of the evening is Warts and All, choreographed by Amanda Oie. This quartet starts in a specific time and place…all slumped in front of an imaginary television as the Bewitched theme plays. The dancers seem to get bored with this and organically transition to dance movement infused with nuanced gesture, character building, and expression. A love triangle develops to Tammy Wynette’s “I don’t wanna play house,” which introduces a tension between queer and traditional relationships. This is followed by two beautiful duets, first by the women, then by the men. Suddenly, the Bewitched theme is reintroduced unnecessarily, and the tension, complexity, and genuine feeling built in the first half dissolves into blissful contentment and pure entertainment-style dance moves. Nothing is wrong with this kind of dance, but the narrative feels completely unresolved. Oie has a golden mix of charm, cleverness, and meaning in the first half. Her cast is not only dancing with clarity and skill, but is emoting with realness and subtlety. She should take advantage of this opportunity and see the promise of the first half through." SeattleDances, Kaitlin McCarthy