'XYZ' reviews 'Indoor Man' reviews 'Opus On' reviews 'Rattle Your Jewelry' reviews Baryshnikov in reviews recent Mikhail Baryshnikov reviews more Corrival reviews

The Rouse Theatre is a small venue so everyone felt very close to the stage, the better to see those ice-blue eyes and feel Baryshnikov's incredible stage-presence and charisma.

The pianist, Pedja Muzijevcic, who opened the performance was marvelous, he played for four of the six dances and also played short interludes between the dances. My favorite was Serenade by Richard Strauss, so sweet and emotional.

At 55, Baryshnikov is still a virtuoso, he just demonstrates his masterly skill and technique in ways that no longer include gravity-defying leaps. The first dance Upon a Whim choreographed by Ruth Davidson Hahn, was for me, the least attractive choreography. It seemed a little contrived, trying too hard to be something, it was also one of the longest pieces (or, perhaps, it just seemed long because I did not care for it much).

Indoor Man, choreographed by Tere O'Connor, music by David Jaggard "Elastic Tango", and Conlon Nancarrow "Tango?", was very interesting. Baryshnikov starts by wearing a box (looked like Sponge Bob Square Pants from the back!) which is designed to look like a small room with wallpaper and sconces. At one point he flips a switch and on come the lights in the sconces! His acting and mime abilities are simply great. Once outside of the box, he became much more fearful and wild, he has discovered the world outside is not such a nice place.

But the two most beautiful dances were Opus One, choreographed by Lucinda Childs, music by Alban Berg, "Sonata, op. 1", and In a Landscape, choreographed by Cesc Gelabert, music by John Cage, "In a Landscape". In these two dances Baryshnikov danced with such fluidity and emotion, it was breathtaking. He clearly showed his masterful technique and skill. His feet are more expressive than many people's faces. Opus One is full of contrasts sometimes soft and fluid other times hard and rigid. In a Landscape Baryshnikov does something that is very difficult to describe, parts of his body suddenly appear to not belong to him. His right arm is not his as his left hand uses it to wipe his brow. Or he looks at his leg as if wondering where it came from and how did it get there. Then his body becomes whole again and off he goes in to some wonderful turn or series of leaps across the stage.

The evening finished with two fun pieces. Rattle Your Jewelry, choreographed by Michael Clark, music by the Beatles, "Back in the U.S.S.R". Although the choreography was not particularly inventive Baryshnikov made it fun and ironic. The most entertaining dance was left for last Mr XYZ, choreographed by Eliot Feld, music as performed by Leon Redbone. This dance was a series of short dances using different props. The first "Without my Walking Stick, I'd go Insane" caused a lot of laughter from the crowd. Then the chair, a simple office chair, it's amazing what a performer of this caliber can do with a simple chair.

Throughout all the dances Baryshnikov maintained eye contact with the audience and in that small venue it felt as if he were looking only at you and you were a part it. Overall an absolutely wonderful evening, by an incomparable dancer and performer.