By Liz Leamy
Last Saturday, Pilobolus, the globally renowned dance company who has performed at the Olympic Games, the Academy Awards and at the Joyce Theatre on Broadway, hit its characteristic golden mark with a memorable one-two series of performances at the Greenwich Library’s Berkley Theatre, much to the delight of spectators there.
Dancing in front of two standing room-only audiences at the Greenwich Library’s recently renovated 288-seat Berkley Theatre, this remarkable dance troupe brought spectators to their feet with rousing standing ovations for their uniquely curated series of performances centered around wit, humor, heart and incredible physical acumen.
Founded in 1971 by Moses Pendleton, Jonathan Wolken and Steve Johnson, three Dartmouth University students who had taken a dance composition class taught by Alison Becker Chase with the idea to test the limits of physicality, the Pilobolus narrative most certainly seemed to have an effect among spectators at the Berkley Theatre last weekend, for certain.
“The show was great. The dancers were phenomenal, the choreography was interesting and I thought the way the dancers intertwined their bodies was interesting,” said Gloria Coe Sprigg, a longtime Greenwich resident and teacher who has been honored for her work at the Hamilton Avenue Elementary School in town and attended the second (evening) Pilobolus performance last Saturday. “You could see everyone in the audience loved it, too. All the people there, from young children to adults, were having a terrific time.”
Regarded to be one of the most artistically groundbreaking dance companies in the world, Pilobolus performed five distinctive programs with themes ranging from entertaining to metaphorical to humorous, each one of which has been a signature piece from shows they have done in past years.
“This is a very special performance and we’re just so thrilled and grateful to have them here,” said Helaine Winer, Performing Arts Committee Chair of the Friends of Greenwich Library. “This is an incredible group of such talented dancers and choreographers and it’s been wonderful to work with them in all regards.”
Attendees of these shows were given this fortuitous (and also gratis) opportunity by having reserved a seat through the Greenwich Library website early in September, something that is quite astonishing to consider in light of the fact that this company is such a world-renowned entertainment and artistic troupe.
For the ever-dedicated members of the Friends of the Greenwich Library and its Performing Arts Committee, it’s all about giving to the community through the library with amazing collaborations such as this one.
“We are always looking to bring a whole range of cultural experiences and gifts to everyone in the community through the Greenwich Library,” said Winer. “Through these collaborations, it’s all about generating a means for people to be inspired and entertained and that is really everything.”
Other figureheads involved with this show agreed.
“We’re so excited to have Pilobolus here and this has been an incredible day,” said Hilary Martin Lea, Chair of the Friends of Greenwich Library. “You never know when someone will be inspired and there’s always the likelihood that an experience like this one might perhaps even change one’s trajectory and that is something amazing to think about.”
For the directors and members of Pilobolus, which is based in Washington Depot, Connecticut, performing at the Greenwich Library was just as gratifying and fulfilling an experience as well.
“We’re having a great time and I love being here,” said Matt Kent, Artistic Director of Pilobolus who served as host of both shows last Saturday at the Berkley Theatre. “Everyone is so exuberant and interesting and the feel of the whole area is amazing. The people, including everyone working with the library has been wonderful. It’s an incredible team.”
Renee Jaworski, Executive/Co-Artistic Director of Pilobolus, concurred.
“Everyone has been so warm, involved and receptive,” said Jaworski. “It’s a wonderful community and there is such a feeling of heart, strength and goodness among all of the people we’ve met and worked with. It’s been great.”
This showcase, meanwhile, also represented a continuation of Pilobolus’ 2023-2024 tour in which the company, in going forward, plan to perform in such U.S. cities as Wilmington, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Saratoga Springs, New York; Orlando, Florida; New Haven, Connecticut; San Antonio, Texas and other locales. (Last July, Pilobolus performed at the iconic Joyce Theatre on Broadway in New York City for most of the month as well.)
Since its inception more than 50 years ago, Pilobolus has brought more than 120 pieces of work to more than 65 countries and has performed on such television programs as CBS This Morning, NBC’s Today Show, MTV’s Video Music Awards and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
In addition, Pilobolus has been honored with several Cannes Lion Awards at the International Festival of Creativity and a TED Fellowship, among other notable citations.
Throughout the years, Pilobolus has also collaborated with many major business brands and organizations in retail, finance, media, fashion and sports through television, film and live events.
For more information on their U.S. tour, please look up Pilobolus at: pilobolus.org
Pilobolus:
Dancers:
Nathaniel Buchsbaum
Connor Chaparro
Quincy Ellis
Marlon Feliz
Hannah Klinkman
Zack Weiss
Executive/Co-Artistic Director:
Renee Jaworski
Artistic Director:
Matt Kent
