Thursday, October 9, 2008
Bill T. Jones questions a person’s role in the world through contemporary dance, film and Vaudeville-style theater in his production, “A Quarreling Pair.”
Performers from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company will bring the show to the Lied Center Friday night.
The work is based on a 1946 puppet play written by Jane Bowles and tells the story of two argumentative spinster sisters. The younger sister argues that it is her duty to do good in the world; the older thinks it is better to stay safe at home.
Jones choreographed the show and said it was full of contradictions and questions that would keep the audience thinking after it was over.
“This is the slow burn, I think, of art,” Jones said.
He said he hoped people in the audience would relax and look at the performance as they would a puzzle.
Karen Christilles, associate director of the Lied Center, said the show would also present an important lesson for students who were considering their future goals.
The show opens with a host and live band and includes elements such as a filmed scene that is projected onto the stage. Christilles said Jones’ work went beyond the genre of contemporary.
“Bill T. Jones is one of the most fantastic and prolific choreographers working today,” she said.
Jones said one of the biggest challenges of choreographing the show was making it clear without making it simple-minded. After every performance, company members revise the show.
“That is where the craft comes in,” Jones said.
Jones said he found inspiration in things that sparked his interest and encouraged him to elaborate and also in things that were so strange he couldn’t resist them. His inspiration for “A Quarreling Pair” came after seeing Bowle’s play 15 years ago.
“The play was a provocation,” Jones said.
This is the fifth time a Bill T. Jones production has visited the University. The first show to visit, “Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Promised Land,” featured 40 community members.
Michelle Heffner Hayes, associate professor of dance, was part of the Lawrence show and said Jones’ work generally addressed controversial issues.
“It isn’t Swan Lake,” Hayes said. “It isn’t something that’s traditional.”
Hayes said most people were used to viewing dance as something entertaining and aesthetically satisfying, but that Jones’ work would make them think.
“It is as intellectually demanding as it is visually stunning,” Hayes said.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lied Center. Student tickets are $13.
— - Edited by Arthur Hur
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