Steppenwolf's cozy downstairs theater provided the ideal setting for an evening of outstanding and expressive dance by the highly acclaimed Season 47 Fall Series by Hubbard Street Dance Company.

The performance began with Aszure Barton's “return to patience,” featuring the entire company uniformly dressed in simple, gray and pale blue loose-fitting attire, defying gravity by leaning into space rather than onto each other. The piece masterfully captures a sense of restless animation striving for contemplative serenity, achieving this balance beautifully. (Set to Caroline Shaw’s “Gustave Le Gray,” an adaptation of Chopin’s gentle “Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 17, No. 4”).

The second piece, a solo performance titled “Show Pony” (2018, HSDC premiere 2023), danced by Shota Miyoshi, stands in stark contrast to “return to patience.” Clad in a formfitting, shiny gold Vegas Elvis jumpsuit, Miyoshi's performance is spectacular. He is literally spotlighted with beautiful lighting by Dan Scully that appears and disappears, as he dominates the stage. The term “Show Pony” perfectly encapsulates Miyoshi's confident and explosive dancing.

Lar Lubovitch’s “Prelude to a Kiss” (2005, HSDC 2023) is a romantic delight, danced superbly by Alexandria Best and Elliot Hammans with palpable chemistry. The couple's dance and flirtation are mesmerizing, with Best sometimes hanging from Hammans' arms like an exquisite butterfly. Their duet is mesmerizing and romantic, culminating in a breathtaking moment as Hammans gently removes the shoulder straps from Best's gown, one at a time, and plants a single, masterful kiss on the exposed nape of her neck.

In “Sweet Gwen Suite”, Cyrie Topete, Dominick Brown, and Aaron Choate dazzle in wildly sexy, bedazzled leather and Mexican-style form-fitting pants and bolero jackets, with costumes designed by Bobby Pearce. This number by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon exudes sass, flair, and self-confidence. Brown and Choate support lead dancer Cyrie Topete, who shines in what feels like a near-solo performance. Topete makes every gesture count, from smoking and extinguishing her cigarette with a sexy twist of her leather boot toe, to the defiant lift of her chin and single smile at the end, like a victorious matador. The act was set to Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass’ “Mexican Shuffle,” Lola Schiffrin’s “Cool Hand Luke,’ and “Mexican Breakfast” by Johnny Mandel.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 'BUSK' by Aszure Barton.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s opening night of the company’s Season 47 Fall Series was graced by the presence of Nicole, the daughter of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. HSDC proudly became the first company to collaborate with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy to showcase Fosse's work. As a longtime admirer of Verdon/Fosse-inspired dance, this collaboration brought their iconic style to life in a thrilling and deeply satisfying way.

In the show’s final act, “Busk” by Aszure Barton opens with Elliot Hammans sleeping on the street, transforming into a character reminiscent of Buster Keaton, complete with hat and cane. Hammans' wonderfully expressive face enhances his dance performance, as he is joined by a cast of street people. Their movements range from defiant leaps to huddled masses, pleading for help with outstretched arms, their faces conveying profound sadness, struggle, and desperation. Random vocalizations are also used by the dancers, which really add to the already stunning piece. The entire dance company is involved in what is the perfect finale.

I highly recommend this incredible and passionate selection of dance performances, including the collaboration with the Gwen Verdon Bob Fosse Legacy, for audiences of all ages. The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dancers are uniquely gifted and each piece so mesmerizing, making it difficult to pick a favorite number. The company’s Season 47 Fall Series, beautifully staged at Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, was truly a night of dance you and your family and friends will never forget.

For more information on Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s current and upcoming performances, visit https://www.hubbardstreetdance.com/.  

(*Dancers alternate roles in performaces depending on select dates. This review reflects the dancers performing for the specific performance reviewed.)