Displaying items by tag: Stu Greenspan

This performance by Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts directly addressed and refuted the declarations hurled at us since January 2025, e.g.: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.’, followed by a flurry of executive orders related to racial equality, climate, immigration and gender policy.… but why am I telling you things we’d all rather forget?

Why? To celebrate Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre’s eloquent exegesis of these assertions. CRDT’s Spring Concert celebrates freedom, diversity and individuality. The final piece, American Catracho, explored the immigrant’s journey, moving through themes of dislocation, assimilation, renewal and, finally and joyously, hope.  Wilfredo Rivera has been perfecting American Catracho for four years, furthered by Joe Cerqua’s music. Other collaborators in this all-encompassing project included several actors, a painter and a theatre artist, two movement consultants, a psychologist, and an immigration activist for a truly inclusive, ecumenical, diversified, and mutual enterprise. ¡Viva Cerqua Rivera!

I loved Identity City, a four-part project inspired by non-binary/gender queer and trans Chicago dance artists exploring the rapidly evolving definitions of gender identity, questioning traditional roles and navigating conflicting crossroads. Its fourth chapter, Flight, garbed the entire troupe of dancers in a flowing spectrum of blues and lavenders. The billows of chiffon made the dancers indeed take flight, soaring among the clouds that were their fellow dancers.

Costume Designer Jordan Ross has attired dancers from the Joffrey, Hubbard Street, Giordano Dance, and other dance companies, as well as performers for theatre, opera, and film. She arrayed dancers of CRDT’s Spring 2025 in hues from unadorned black to subtle colors for a variety of sleek or flowing, encompassing or skimpy designs. Nathan Tomlinson’s technical direction and lighting design enhanced this and all other visuals. Tomlinson has worked in lighting, scenic, and production management for performance events across North America, Asia and Europe. Catherine Painter, the Managing Director, is a nonprofit leader specializing in audience building and financial management.

Who is Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre? I was not familiar with CRDT (I’m no doyen of dance) and in fact I was drawn to this performance specifically because of that nescience (celebrate diversity of experiences!). CRDT’s Mission Statement declares: our diverse company uses dance and music to convey intense personal narratives. We are proudly multicultural, exploring the intersection of heritage, culture, and identity through art, opening paths for empathy and understanding. Our culture of collaboration and diversity fosters magnetic connections between artists and audiences.

How can I resist a company whose mission statement includes diversity, equity, and inclusion as its key values? We need to watch CRDT during the next years – they may need our help.

Cerqua Rivera’s work – called “blended magic” by See Chicago Dance and “immersive alchemy” by New City Stage – is created and performed by a multicultural company. It is rooted in research, inquiry and collaboration and brought to life by fusing dance with other art forms. Wilfredo Rivera, the theater’s co-founder and artistic director, said the grant money they usually receive from NEA is a small amount of their annual budget, and they are not compelled to change its approach to DEI (yay!). “It’s part of the DNA of the organization to celebrate and unpack the complexities of American identity,” Rivera said. “So we will continue to move on our pathway of immersive, inclusive, explorative work.

This ever-evolving contemporary troupe is dedicated to presenting dance that is carefully curated and designed to facilitate dialogue, push boundaries, and build community. The Dance Ensemble skillfully combines contemporary, jazz, and unique Latin techniques to spin tales of universal human experiences.

A sophisticated Jazz Orchestra performed live, original music from the rear stage; a violin and a flute occasionally rose to stroll among the dancers onstage as they played – that was so effective! Musicians included Musical Director Stu Greenspan, violinist James Sanders, Millie Ahearn on trumpet, Timothy Archbold on Cello, percussionist Paul Cotton, Darius Hampton (woodwinds), Kevin O’Connell on keyboard, José Ormaza (Drums), Felipe Tobar playing Violin, and Composer/vocalist/saxophone Juli Wood. Joe Cerqua (cofounder) performed vocals in his sweetly nasal, softly scratchy voice, occasionally accompanied by Margaret Murphy-Webb.

The diverse collective of dancers included: Brennan Renteria, who joined CRDT in 2017 is now Rehearsal Director. Lilia Ambler Castillo Gomez describes herself as ‘a movement artist’ and has just joined CRDT. Ruben Andres Castillo Gomez, Caitlin Clark, Yui Nakatani and Bruno Salgado are also joining CRDT for the 2024/25 season; Bennett Cullen is moving into his second season with CRDT. David Anthony Scheuerman-Saucedo has performed for five years with CRDT and several other Chicago companies. Caitlin Yatsuhashi is a company member of Moonwater Dance Project as well as Cerqua Rivera. Joining the company for American Catracho from CRDT II were Alyssa Alber and Brianna Samuda-Walker.

Cerqua Rivera’s artists stimulate hope and joy that resonates long after the curtain has closed.

¡Recomendada!   

Though there are no further performances at Ruth Page, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is a local company and performs in local venues – check them out at www. https://www.cerquarivera.org/