LBT Presents PARSONS DANCE-Appropriated Choreography

The Luther Burbank Theater presented the PARSONS DANCE company Monday night.  Unfortunately, the theater was sparsely attended despite reasonably priced tickets ranging from $15-$60 maximum in the orchestra.  For those few up in the nosebleeds, they were able to come down to higher priced tickets and those in the orchestra seats were able to shift seats for unobstructed views.   Regrettably, this dance aficionado found several of the works copied choreography of other artists' works. All the choreography on the night's program was by David Parsons, the company's founder and artistic director except for the most recent piece; Penny Saunders' "Thick as Thieves" (2023). Parsons came on stage and paid tribute to his mentor, Rita Blitt.   Blitt (b. 1931 Kansas, MO) is an established sculptor.  As a young boy, Parsons told us he was raised by a single mother who didn't know how to contain his energy.  She put him in an art camp in MO run by Blitt where he first learned and fell in love with dance.  Parsons said with hubris, "She was the first person to tell me, 'you're going to be famous one day."  He asked Ms. Blitt who was in attendance to please stand."  He said that they collaborated on "Finding Center" and dedicated the performance to her.  But, you won't find any credit on the program for BIitt on the work.  In fact, no mention of any artist's influence was mentioned by Parsons on his choreographic style.  I found this a grave omission.  Art is not created in a vacuum. But, for an artist to appropriate from other artists' works without tribute is an aberration to the intent of creating art.  The first piece on the program SWING SHIFT relied heavily on Lester Horton's aesthetic which Alvin Ailey incorporated into his American Dance Co.  Horton mentored Ailey who became artistic dir. for Horton's company following his death.  Ailey always credited Horton's techniques in his choreography.  The sharp, bird arms and group formations mirrored Ailey's iconic works, so too were Parsons' same choice of amber shaded costumes.  Ironically, "Thick as Thieves" (2023) on the program was a blatant imitation of Azure Barton choreography "Busk" (2009).  The same black cloaked dancers in "Thick as Thieves" with haunted faces, moved about frenetically, coming together and separating.  These formations, movements and aesthetics found in Barton's earlier, "Busk".  On a positive note, "Finding Center" was a lovely, balletic composition that stood out on the program for its romantic, leisurely pas de deux.  The work highlighted the lovely lines of dancer Zoey Anderson who was also featured in "Caught".  "Caught" is a visually stunning and demanding work that required precise timing and agility.  Parson's signature "Caught" has been brought into numerous dance companies repertoires including the Alvin Ailey Dance. Co.