Renowned choreographer Donna Uchizono returns to TBA with a two-part program, State of Heads and Leap to Tall (featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov*).

I abslutely loved State of Heads—the piece is draining, it requires such concentration, but it’s a rewarding and absorbing experience. The curtains open to reveal dancer Levi Gonzalez, in a white suit, back to the audience, against a bright white stage—and for a long moment, so long it outgrows “moment” and becomes more of an interval, nothing happens. The audience waits patiently at first, and then starts to fidget, look around, chuckle a bit. It’s all very uncomfortable. And finally, Carla Rudiger and Rebecca Serrell scuttle slowly in from the wings and begin a series of disjointed, repetitive movements, informed by a seeming disconnect between the head and the rest of the body (their heads loll to the side, hang heavily, or drag their bodies in unexpected directions). Their movements were synchronized, to an extent; more that one woman’s movements influenced the other, gestures passed back and forth via a subtle mimickry. The piece starts at a dead crawl and gains in momentum, building to a frenzied energy by the end. The sound design is absolutely brilliant, aggressive and unnerving, mostly sounds that are vaguely familiar but hard to place taken so out of context (machinery, water dripping, doors creaking?). It was a remarkable piece, both intellectually and viscerally engaging.

Leap to Tall was much more accessible, utilizing actual music, for one thing, and a more familiar range of movement. Baryshnikov shares the stage with Hristoula Harakas and Jodi Melnick, who alternately vie for his attention, and support him through portions of the dance (in the only one of his famous leaps you see here, he’s lifted by the two women). I ultimately found Leap to Tall less compelling than the first piece—though Baryshnikov’s total mastery of his body and his craft is amazing to watch, evident in how beautiful he can render the mere extension of an arm, say. While it was fun, I didn’t find it as challenging as State of Heads—I like a little something to chew on when I’m watching dance, and Leap to Tall just didn’t offer much to think about.

State of Heads and Leap to Tall tonight, 8:30 pm, Newmark Theater, 1111 SW Broadway. There don’t seem to be any tickets left on TicketWeb, so I guess unless you have a pass you’re SOL. Get there early, ‘cause I think last night filled up (or at least that’s what Mark Russell, who is now sporting a Prince Valiant bob thanks to Haircuts by Children, said in his intro to the show)

(*One of the best exchanges I’ve overheard so far:
Female Art Booster: We’re going to the Donna Uchizono workshop. We want to ask Baryshnikov why he was so mean to Carrie!
Male Art Booster (nodding): We really feel like he just used her.)