Liz Gerring's "Horizon" @ Peak Performances

Liz Gerring’s Horizon at Peak Performances (December 10-13) was well-crafted.  In the making of Horizon, Gerring planned to explore “…the idea of density…add[ing] as much as possible to the space in terms of dancers and movement,” but here, nothing is fussy or too much.  From the unobtrusive backdrop that subtly changes mood and color, to the well-timed and always giving lights, to the well-suited water-colored costumes and add to that sounds that just fits, Gerring’s canvas was rich.  In round after round of entrance and exits, she peoples the space in different groupings of formal/unison and juxtaposing dynamism.  The movement is challenging, and it seems like the dancers will never stop.  And between controlled or hurried breaths they slash the air, test their limits of balance, propel their bodies on and off stage, roll a partner like a rug or carry another on their shoulder, calmly walking across the stage.  Without pause, they danced for an hour.  Kudos to the dancers: Brandon Collwes, Joseph Giordano, Molly Griffin, Pierre Guibault, Julia Jurgilewicz, Jake Szczypek, Claire Westby and Parker Murphy [understudy]). Plaudits also go to Michael J. Schumacher, Robert Wierzel’s (Production Design), Amith A. Chandrashaker’s (Associate Lighting Design) and Liz Prince (Costume Design).