What made me cry...

...shamelessly...big, fat tears...a knockout performance by Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass in Barnes's Suddenly Summer Somewhere, premiered this past week at Dancespace Project. From their first appearance at the karaoke mics--barefoot and dressed nearly alike in old-style springtime coats--these two gifted performers had me firmly in their grip and never turned me loose. This piece was, by turns, frightening and desperately sad and finally beautifully poignant. Cleverly set to standards performed by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others, this duet is an unusual journey through the underworld of a long-running relationship. And nothing about it--from Barnes's extraordinary and insightful movement choices to the dramatic arc of the relationship--was expected or stale. Both performers are strong actors as well as dancers; in fact, Barnes may be one of the finest, most versatile actors I've seen in dance, and she has a solid partner in Bass. Hard work, hard work, hard work... Dancers work hard, but these two especially. If you missed this one, look for your next opportunity to see it, and let your heart open to it.