His ever-mesmerizing “Arden Court” opens the second program of the season. The 1981 work is an airy journey through various encounters and budding relationships that come to be through the swirling patterns that drive the choreography. Before Gene Moore’s elegant soft pink rose splayed across the backdrop and amidst William Boyce’s baroque symphonies, the dancers evolve into sprite-like creatures. The five men of the ensemble are particularly memorable.

In this same vein, the iconic 1975 work “Esplanade” showcases Taylor’s talent. It’s a playful exploration of running, pacing, walking, sliding, and builds in its intensity. Nearing the last moments of the work, the dancers sprint across the stage one by one in an unrelenting series; they leap and slide onto the floor, rolling up and off.

Curiously, between these two classics came the New York City premiere of “Sea Lark,” a work Taylor created in October. Excerpts from Francis Poulenc’s energetic “Les Biches” are met by a neon-clad, smiling-wearing ensemble on a boat adventure featuring spontaneous dance breaks. The work exudes a youthful aire in its mimed interactions: jumping into the ocean, sitting aboard a sail boat that glides across the stage, fits of hand-holding and chasing one another.

The movement remains fairly simple throughout, with an occasional showy lift or leap. The most dynamic moments surface in a beach party dance scene with a few stepping forward to show off their moves while the rest remain in a line. This line of onlookers provide a percussive element through their clapping and barefoot foot tapping, and even a few shuffle hop steps.

The entire evening was presented with live music by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, under the direction of Donald York. It was a fantastic treat to see Taylor’s work with this live accompaniment, a wonderful upgrade from recent practice of taped recordings.
EYE ON THE ARTS, NY – Jenny Thompson