Press Clips
Wanderlust feature article on
nytheatre.com
nytheatre.com
review
Jason S. Grossman · June 8, 2011
http://www.nytheatre.com/showpage.aspx?s=wand12737


Pictured:
A scene from Wanderlust
Planet
Connections Theatre Festivity tallies another wonderful work with the Movement
Workshop Group's new dance theatre piece Wanderlust. This is the final
in a series of four full-length works each inspired by a classical element
(fire). After seeing this production, I wish I had seen the first three pieces
and pray they will be remounted at some point.
The
Movement Workshop Group's mission is to create dance theatre works that
transport both the artists and audience to a higher spiritual state. They
succeed here; this is a wholly enjoyable and uplifting theatre program.
The
text was co-written by Leslie Guyton and Colin Summers (coming in the form of
monologues), and the production as a whole was created collaboratively by
Guyton (artistic director), Pauline Legras, and the Movement Workshop Group.
The end result is an inspiring, highly entertaining piece executed by
outstanding artists.
The
minimalist plot concerns a protagonist, Character A, and the relationships
throughout her life. While she never utters a word, we feel our heroine's joy
and heartbreak with every step while she navigates her way through the
universe.
A
rock band provides the musical backdrop (and, yes, they do rock) as five
exceptional actor/dancers perform numerous dance segments. Actor/dancer is an
appropriate designation in this production because of the great depth of their
acting as they dance.
Colin
Summers, playing a casual narrator of sorts, introduces the evening with a
monologue to set the context of the program. Summers displays versatility
playing lead guitar and singing with the superb Cydney McQullian-Grace. As
Cosmo, McQullian-Grace exhibits an outstanding singing voice throughout the
work worthy of her character.
From
above numerous light bulbs are magically ignited with Cosmo's influence thanks
to the expert lighting design by Erik Fox.
Rachel
Garis plays Character A, and she is absolutely terrific. She is playful,
curious, and tender as the wide-eyed soul in Wanderlust. Her entire body
is a beautifully communicative instrument at every instant. Equally captivating
is Alex Hernandez who plays her male counterpart. They exude sweet harmony
together.
Chris
Coluzzi, Josh Henderson, Thomas Murphy, and Angelica Olstad round out the band
skillfully. Henderson plays his violin like his dancer co-stars use their
bodies, with seemingly effortless passion. All
the artists are in sync here. Much
of the music is original with compositions written by company member Murphy and
other local musicians. There are also some well-known songs revamped notably
for the purposes of the production.
This
show is a beautiful program told with dance, music and text about temptation
and desire but mostly about forgiveness and love. You can see the love in the
content of the production and in the expression of the artists’ work.
Opened:
June 8, 2011
Closed: June 25, 2011
Artists
Involved
- Cast: Rachel Garis, Alex Hernandez,
Sara Ciampa, Quincy Ellis, Cydney McQuillan-Grace, Colin Summers, Josh
Henderson, Thomas Murphy, Chris
Coluzzi, and Angelica Olstad
- Author: Leslie Guyton and Colin Summers
- Original Script:
Morgan Sobel
- Director: Leslie Guyton
- Artistic Associates: Pauline Legras and Eliza Lay
- Music Consultant: Meg Currier
- Lighting: Erik Fox
- Sets & Costumes: Katherine Day
Wanderlust feature article in the
Dossier
Dossier Journal.com
Lust Really, Not Love

Upon entering the Robert Moss Theater for a viewing of The Movement Workshop Group’s (MWG) presentation of Wanderlust,
I had a flashback. It was the damndest thing. I was instantly
transported to middle school, my mind compiling a montage of
after-school special videos. “Why were the people on stage forming a
semi-circle?” I pondered. “And why did they look like they were going
to tell me to ‘just say no,’ or ‘it’s OK to wait?’”
Maybe it was the statement hair styles, unforgiving denim, and gold
lame; I mean, the place looked like an incubator for the 80s (I’m pretty
sure Jon Cryer’s doppelganger was the guitar player. Note: “Pretty in
Pink” Cryer, not “Two and a Half Men.”) All I know is that I’m glad I
returned from my nostalgic trip through the awkward years, finally
reentering reality as the house lights dimmed. For this show is no
after-school special. Other than being part of The Planet Connections
Theatre Festivity, “New York’s premiere eco-friendly, socially conscious
theater festival,” the players don’t preach anything. They’re just a
motley troupe of actors, dancers, and musicians doing what they love
and, really, having fun.
Now, the MWG claims to produce only works of dance theater that
“transport audiences and the company members to higher, more inspired
psychic states.” That’s a bit a bold; I didn’t feel spiritually
elevated after leaving the theater, but director Leslie Guyton and her
cast have certainly created a serendipitous atmosphere. The girl in
gold lame, for example, is called Cosmos, and she cavorts about the
stage swirling slivers of sparkling tissue paper on Characters A, B, C,
and D. She’s creating scenarios for them—happenstance introductions and
“accidental” rendezvous (at least they appear to be coincidences to
oblivious pawns). You know the routine: girl wakes up on a folding
table, explores her surroundings like a dumbfounded Eve, all alone until
her Adam pas de bourrées onto the scene from the sideline. They both
go googly-eyed, love at first sight. Then, suddenly, girl meets another
guy, and Adam’s cast away. But wait, that’s not all: another girl
cartwheels in to propose a triangular dynamic—of lust really, not love.
Maybe that’s where the title comes from, for the Characters aren’t
exactly world travelers. They never leave their known world—neither
physically, nor figuratively. Rather, it’s their sexual interest that
is wayward. It’s their lust that is wandering. As for love? Are the
initial feelings of attraction and emotional attachment between our Eve
and Adam preserved throughout? Well, I’m not going to give it away, but
what I will say is that if the premise of Wanderlust doesn’t
intrigue you, the music should. The songs are original and the
violinist, the globetrotting Josh Henderson, is phenomenal. Why the
program dubs him as “AKA Justin Bieber,” I have no idea; his talent
surpasses that of the teeny bopper and he’s not creepy, which is an
added bonus.
Overall, I would predict that the 20-something Guyton has a boundless
future ahead of her. What’s most impressive is that the choreography
and soundtrack is all from scratch. While there is a thick coating of
fairy dust on this particular piece, I hope that—and I believe that she
will—dare to venture into more adventurous territory for her upcoming
projects.
WANDERLUST will be playing at the Robert Moss Theater from June 5th until June 25th.
For tickets please visit: http://www.planetconnectionsfestivity.com/ And for more information about the show: http://movementworkshopgroup.org/.
Wanderlust feature article on
Dancebloggers.com
Movement Workshop Group Presents: WANDERLUST
Yesterday I got to check out Wanderlust
being presented as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. An
hour long show, directed by Leslie Guyton and choreographed by Pauline
Legras and Eliza Lay, with 4 dancers, 5 musicians and a charming story
of self examination, struggle, love and the cosmic pull of life itself.
Rachel Garis plays Character A, whom this story is centered around. An
explosive dancer and outstanding performer, Rachel pulls you into this
world of coincidence completely and wholly. The cast carries her through
experiences using live music, the inspiring vocals of Cosmo (performed by Cydney McQuillan-Grace) and the comedic musings of guitarist and vocalist "Stardust" Summers (played by Colin Summers).
There are only two more shows to catch so get grab your tickets!
Friday June 24 @ 4:30pm & Saturday June 25 @ 12:00pm
Wanderlust feature article in the
Cambridge Chronicle

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