Christopher Williams’ latest project that closed last weekend at DTW, entitled The Golden Legend, flies in the face of just about everything conjured up by the phrase “New York contemporary dance.” This cycle of male saints, following Williams’ memorable project for female saints a few years back, comprises solos performed by well-known dancers, plus supporting characters. It is dense with history and religious iconography, and epic in scale, with 17 solos. It has live music performed by a chamber ensemble and members of vocalists playing and singing early music plus new songs by Gregory Spears and Peter Kirn.
More high mass in feel than dance performance, the setting is defined immediately by 20 or so tall-backed chairs lining the sides of the stage. A processional down the aisle steps lets us view close up the amazing handiwork and detail of the costumes, created by Williams and team. But the seriousness of a mass is immediately deflated (or inflated?) by the cheeky first solo by David Parker as St. Thomas, diva-like and bathed in rose light (by Joe Levasseur). read more
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