THE HANGOVER REPORT – Mark Morris’s deceptively lightweight THE LOOK OF LOVE is a gentle, sunny celebration of the Burt Bacharach songbook

Mark Morris Dance Group performs “The Look of Love” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (photo courtesy of the company).

This past week, the Brooklyn Academy of Music played host to the New York premiere of Mark Morris’s The Look of Love, an evening length dance piece set to the evergreen songs of Burt Bacharach. Few choreographers are more attuned to the essence of pure dance than Mark Morris, and his latest — his first major production in five years, if you can believe it — continues to prove this dance-maker’s singular ability to create works that get to the heart of why we humans dance.

At first glance, The Look of Love may strike audiences as one of Morris’s slighter works. Indeed, the work — which runs only slightly longer than an hour — is deceptively lightweight. But look more closely, and you’ll feel the subtle power coursing through its unaffected simplicity (also reflected in the costuming) and gentle, sunny examination of the different facets of love. Morris also imbues the piece with warmth and an indelible sense community, which springs from his longtime interest in folk dance traditions. Throughout, the approachable Mark Morris Dance Group dancers performed with infectious playfulness and intrinsic musicality. They also danced with freedom and presented an unabashedly idealistic view of humanity. Suffice to say, it was a joy to witness them in their element.

As in any Mark Morris work, music played a central part in the performance. Featuring bright new arrangements by Ethan Iverson, the live renditions of Bacharach’s classic songs were an utter delight. Particularly noteworthy were the rich, soulful vocals of Broadway star Marcy Harriell, who brought depth and poignancy to the songs. All in all, The Look of Love was a refreshing palette cleanser — an ideal escapist entertainment from a world that, more than ever operates on cynicism.

RECOMMENDED

THE LOOK OF LOVE
Dance
Mark Morris Dance Group / Brooklyn Academy of Music
1 hour, 5 minutes
Closed

Categories: Dance

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