Good Times: A review by Mari S. Gold

About this post:
This article is a reprinted review by Mari S. Gold examining Lighten Up!, a dance program presented at the Theater at St. Jeans featuring performers from the Montclair State University Dance Department.The Montclair State University Dance Ensemble performed alongside artists and ensembles including the Joffrey Ballet School and Joffrey Concert Group NY.

We live in challenging times that keep many of us perpetually on edge. What a delight to spend an evening that asks only that you look, listen and sometimes laugh out loud.
That’s the premise of Lighten Up!  a two-night program of dances at the Theater at St. Jeans, performed by a roster of highly competent groups and soloists who all deserve appreciation.
From the opening number, The Skaters Ballet, a reimagining from the 1948 musical comedy film, Up in Central Park, it’s clear that pure enjoyment is the expectation. Even the opening image, a Currier and Ives print of “Central Park-Winter—The Skating Pond”- is a nostalgic delight and comes to life with the dancers.
Other standouts were For Ella, three numbers choreographed by Margo Sappington, set to music by the queen of scat and danced by members of the Joffrey Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Trainee Program and the numbers danced by Henning Rűbsam, who excels at mime, acting and movement.
As the subtitle of the program title phrased it, there was ‘nothing to ponder, nothing to analyze.”
Cheers to soloists Antonio Fini, Aoi Matsuda whose tossed-in shrug is perfection, Claire Porter and Mr. Rubsam and to the Joffrey Concert Group NY; members of the Joffrey Ballet School, NY.; Montclair State University Dance Ensemble and Valentina Kozlova dancing with Andre Jouraiev.
Costumes are modest yet highly effective especially those by Christian Holder.
A cheerful, entertaining evening with no deep thinking required: just what we need.