'Synchronicity' Showcases Dance Diversity

Local News Staff photos by Courtenay Nearburg High school dance instructor Lisa Jay present her first fall dance concert, "Synchronicity," on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Artists' Theatre. The company performs "Enchantment," choreographed by assistant dance instructor and ballet coach Danielle Pigneri.

In a successive wave, vibrant movement speaks a vast vocabulary. Such is the visual verse of "Synchronicity," an intense 12-piece production by the Laguna Beach High School Dance Company, with shows tonight and tomorrow at the Artists' Theater.

Audiences will witness a range of dance, highlighting the students' talents with the debut of Lisa Jay, the school's new dance director, and her work.

Jay and ballet teacher Danielle Pigneri, along with guest choreographers Tracey Bonner and Jaclyn Butterfield, take the viewer through a journey of light and darkness, ballet and tap, Latin rhythms to modern beats.

"I like to let all the choreographers do what they want, be totally creative, no boundaries. That's what I like personally as well when I choreograph," Jay said.

"Not really a theme, but I love this word, 'synchronicity.' I looked it up in the dictionary. It says a 'coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related'," Jay explained.

The 48 students in the show, who range in ability from beginner to advanced, have rehearsed since Sept. 15.

Bonner, popular for her guest choreography for last year's school productions of "West Side Story" and "Urinetown," described this production as simultaneous storytelling.

Her work "Disparity" features contemporary jazz by The Muse and "Searching for Life" is a rhythmic tap piece, meant to reflect a common circle of life that connects us, she said. The tap piece opens the show.

Celena DelPizzo-Howell, 18, a dancer since kindergarten, appreciates the range she can perform in the concert. "Tap has a place in my heart, and I love modern and lyrical as well. Diversity is nice, to do different things to showcase what types of dances you're into," said the student.

"I've been working with these kids all of last year. They have a special place in my heart, and I love the Laguna community. It allows me to do new works, mostly non-theatrical shows," Bonner said.

"I'm Only Human" starts out with a figure at his computer, slumped over working. Moving robotically, the dancers are costumed in school uniforms, portraying a mechanical life. A strobe light adds to this modernday tale.

James Luby, 17, is one of four boys in the show. n this production, "Al Palo" is his biggest challenge. "The Latin piece is very energetic, kind of fiery and spicy. It took a lot more concentration to get these moves," Luby said. With music by King Africa, the beautiful Latin piece is a flurry of color and fancy footwork, accented with vibrant red dresses. Samantha Corso, 16, describes the work as really sharp and high energy.

"I like modern dance a lot and hip-hop," Luby said. "The second piece 'Bring Me to Life' is a contemporary piece that's very dark. It's almost like you're tossing yourself around the entire dance. It takes character; it's more of an acting part of dancing."

"Hurt," a black hued number, is a dance of disdain with reddied fabric symbolizing cut wrists in this modern dance aptly accompanied by the Nine Inch Nail song. Lyrics layer well with the darker choreography.

Performances are tonight and Saturday, Dec. 12 and Dec.13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Artists' Theater, 625 Park Ave. Tickets are $8 for students, $12 for adults and $15 for reserved seats. For information, call 497-7769.