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Show Bella Lewitzky Brings Moder xi Dance to Capitol In its Utah premiere, the Bella Lewitzky Pance Company from Los Angeles will present an evening of modern dance at the Capitol Theatre, March 18th at 8:00 p.m. Hailed by critics world-wide for its innovative and individualistic choreography, this ten-member company's versatility appears in all facets. "Bella Lewitzky's dancers don't dance dances. They dance theatre. They dance about the human condition. They use props. They create dramas in space," writes Martin Bernheimer, Los Angeles Times dance reviewer. The three pieces selected for the Capitol Theatre program are representative of the breadth of the Lewtizky repertoire, highlighting the technical and dramatic strength of the dancers. "Changes and Choices", a sly and hectic collective choreography by Bella Lewitzky and company members, is performed to an original score by California composed Larry Attaway, with costumes and decor by fashion designer, Rudi Gernreich. "Confines", choreographed in 1982 by Ms. Lewitzky, is a three-part study examining the effects of entrapments, using stage props including bamboo and metal wind chimes, a portable stockade and a moving sound collage by Donald Knaak. "Pas de Bach", a collaboration between Ms. Lewitzky and Rudi Gernreich, humorously comments on the lingering Baroque mannerisms in the contemporary dance world, performed to the lyrical strains of J.S. Bach. Bella Lewitzky, the artistic director of the company, and one of the foremost proponents of modern dance in America, is a choreographer, dancer, lecturer and educator. Raised in the Mojave Desert, the West is definitely home for Ms. Lewitzky. I get claustrophobic in New York. The sky is blotted out and the atmosphere is abrasive." Lewitzky's company is living proof of her dedication to demonstrate that creative professional dance can and does flourish away from the East Coast. This special concert, a benefit for the Repertory Dance Theatre and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, is the product of a unique collaboration by both Salt Lake based dance companies, the Utah Arts Council and the Tosco Corporation. Firmly committed to supporting the arts, Tosco, an oil j refining, marketing and coal production concern, has generously underwritten the Lewitzky Company's two and a half day residency in Salt Lake. Besides the Saturday evening performance, the Lewitzky Dance Company will present a free lecturedemonstration, Friday, March 17th at the University of Utah's Dance Building, and teach a series of master classes on Saturday, March 19th, also at the University of Utah. j Special rates for students and groups are available for both j the performance and master classes. For more information regarding any of the residency services or ticket information, please contact the Repertory Dance Theatre at 581-6702 or the Capitol Box Office at 535-7905. |