Women's Dance "The Ashley Bouder Project" with Works by Liz Gherring and Susan Stroman

Saturday, at Symphony Space on the UWS, The Ashley Bouder Project premiered choreography by Ashley Bouder "In Pursuit of" and Liz Gherring's "Duet."  Jazz maestro Miho Hazama (b Japan) and recipient of the Charlie Parker Composition Prize ('15) conducted the jazz orchestra on stage.  Susan Stroman, 4 time Tony winner for choreography & Tony winner for Best Director of a Musical ("The Producers,") piece "Blossom Got Kissed" ended the evening of fabulous jazz, ballet & contemporary dance.  Ashley Bouder is a soloist for NYCB and co-founder of the Ashley Bouder Proj ('14) aimed at promoting women in the arts.  The evening's program began with the world premiere of Bouder's "In Pursuit Of" with original music by Miho Hazama.  The ballet featured 3 female & 3 male dancers in varying shades of autumnal colors.  The sprightly pairing of energetic & elegaic dancers was delightful.  The storytelling in 4 segments was ambiguous which was not an issue.  However, some of the choreography was out of step with Hazama's composition.  Gherring's world premiere "Duet" paired Ashley Bouder & fellow NYCB soloist Sara Mearns.  The dynamic choreography set to music by Anna Webber was the highlight of the program.  Gherring's sharp lines and fast/slow, unpredictable movements made time & space feel tangible.  Both Mearns & Bouder demonstrated exceptional skills at contemporary dance.  Their ability to sustain tension gave the piece a formidable force.   The evening wrapped with Stroman's "Blossom Got Kissed;" a soft, comedic send off with a whimsical & theatrical likeness to Jerome Robbins.  At this evening of dance, the women took the lead.