InSync Dance Theatre will present its
annual concert at Hope College on Friday and Saturday, Jan.
26-27, at 8 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre, located at 86
E. 8th Street in downtown Holland.
The program is designed as entertainment for the
whole family, and will feature a broad variety of both tap
and jazz. Tickets are $6 for regular adult admission and $4
for students and senior citizens, with admission free for
children under 12.
In addition, on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m.,
InSync will present a short concert featuring only the tap
ballet "July 28, 1943." Tickets for the matinee are $3 for
regular adult admission and $2 for students. Admission to
the matinee is free for senior citizens, veterans and
children under 12.
Tickets for all performances will be available at the door.
This year's concert is special, according to
company co-founder Terri Filips, because it will feature the
premiere of "July 28, 1943", an original work supported by
the Holland Area Arts Council and as a program of the
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Both
evening shows feature "July 28, 1943" as well as additional
tap and jazz works choreographed by Dawn McIlhargey-Wigert,
Rosanne DeVries, Suki Fox-Keita and Filips.
The tap ballet, conceived by Filips, who co-
choreographed the work with Rosanne DeVries, unfolds in a
train station in the year 1943. The work, through the art
and music of tap dance, explores the impact of World War II
on the everyday lives of those who commute through, visit
and staff the station. Lovers join and separate, sailors
travel to war, riveters commute to fill the shoes of the men
gone overseas, station personnel facilitate these events --
all to the music of Duke Ellington and vintage radio clips
that include one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inspiring
"Fireside Chats."
"July 28, 1943" provides a vignette of life during
World War II, combining elements of theatre, tap dance,
music and history in an original manner that is intended to
educate, inspire and entertain. According to Filips, the
choreographers and dancers offer the work to honor and
remember the sacrifices and investments of those on the
homefront and the war front during World War II.
"July 28, 1943" features the dancing talents of
Terri Filips, who is a 1991 and former member of the Hope
dance faculty now teaching at Niagara University in New
York; Rosanne DeVries of the Hope dance faculty; senior
Danny Taylor of Story City, Iowa; senior Matthew Stehle of
Pittsburgh, Pa.; sophomore Mandy Olson of Oak Park, Ill.;
Sandra Federico, a 1996 Hope graduate from Comstock Park;
Heather Winia, a 1991 Hope graduate from Zeeland; Katie
Rowden; Suki Fox-Keita; Russell Reeves; and Connie Kowalski.
The costumes are designed by Anne C. deVelder, and the
lights by Erik Alberg.
Also premiering in this year's concert are "Inner
City Blues" and the "Troubled Man," choreographed by Dawn
McIlhargey-Wigert. The pieces were conceived and developed
in tribute to Marvin Gaye, and reflect the soul, challenging
passion, grit and pace of city life. "Inner City Blues" is
danced by Suki Fox-Keita, Russell Reeves, Matt Stehle,
Heather Winia, Mandy Olson and Katie Rowden. "Troubled Man"
will be danced by Danny Taylor. McIlhargey- Wigert is also
premiering a jazz work to the music of Brubeck featuring the
dance talents of DeVries, Stehle, and Rowden.
Returning to the stage is "Urban Jam,"
choreographed by DeVries, which was a finalist for the
Maggie Allesee New Choreography Award from the Michigan
Dance Council. Restructured with a different cast are the
co-choreographed works by Filips and McIlhargey-Wigert,
"Jumpin Jack" and "Everyman." "How Come" by Fox-Keita also
returns.
Additional information about the concerts may be
obtained by calling the college's department of dance at
395-7700.