Dance to see ‘Symphony in Motion’

Contributed photo

Contributed photo

Erin Almeter, Staff writer

Mercyhurst dancers take to the stage again in their fall production, “Symphony in Motion.”
Seventy dancers will perform Nov. 9-11.
The Nov. 9 show will be at 7p.m., the Nov. 10 shows will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the Nov. 11 show is at 2 p.m.
All performances will be held in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
It is important to note that before the show on Nov. 9, there will be a pre-performance reception to benefit the Jenni-Lynn Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Mercyhurst Empowerment and Prevention project.
This project is made possible by a combination of efforts from Mercyhurst University, the Crime Victim Center of Erie County and SafeNet.
There are many different dance sets that go into the show.
It will begin with a ballet piece set to Michael Gleason’s “Symphonie Italianne” and Mendelsohn’s “Italian Symphony.”
The audience will see new sets and costumes within this first performance.
The second part of the fall concert was choreographed by the Cleveland-based guest choreographer Catherine Meredith.
She has created a piece called “Aftermath.”
This dance is meant to represent the #MeToo movement and was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s quote, “We’re finally hearing each other, and seeing each other, and now locking arms in solidarity with each other, and in solidarity for every woman who doesn’t feel seen, to finally be heard.”
It is sure to be a powerful experience.
The third performance in the show is called “Influence.”
This work was created by Maria Caruso, an artistic director of Pittsburgh’s Bodiography.
It is meant to show the impact that other people have on our lives through their practices, experiences and methods.
These impacts that other people have on us shape who we are and that is what this abstract, whimsical piece is meant to express.
The final part to fall concert will include choreography by assistant Dance professor Mark Santillano.
It is called “On Broadway” and will include well-known dances from “Grease,” “The Pajama Game,” “The Lion King” and “The Tap Dance Kid.”
The show is highly recommended for families with children and those who appreciate the art of dance.
Just short of two hours, it is sure to be a grand experience for all.
The dancers taking part in the show encourage everyone to attend.
Micayla Frank, a junior who appears in the “On Broadway” performance, said her favorite part is the opening dance because “it is dramatic and fun to dance.”
All of the different pieces on the program will come together to showcase the beauty of dance and the elegance of the dancers in this fall concert.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students and youths.