All Photos: Rosalie O’Connor
MUSIC: Michael John LaChiusa (CBE-commissioned score)
CHOREOGRAPHY: Chase Brock and the Company
SET & COSTUME DESIGN: Dane Laffrey
LIGHTING DESIGN: Scott Zielinski
NUMBER OF DANCERS: 3
NUMBER OF GUEST ARTISTS: 1
RUNNING TIME: 26 minutes
PREMIERE DATE: July 8, 2010
PREMIERE VENUE: The Connelly Theater
ORIGINAL CAST: Connor Kilian Weigand as Narcissus, Drew Heflin as Observer, Yukiko Kashiki as Objet d’Amour; featuring pianist Jamie Schmidt
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES: July 9, 10 and 11, 2010 / The Connelly Theater
Mirror Mirror was commissioned by the American Music Center Live Music for Dance Program.
Mirror Mirror was made possible in large part by the generous support of The O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation.
Mirror Mirror was made possible in part with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
Mr. Brock sets the humor aside in “Mirror Mirror,” with a commissioned piano score by Michael John LaChiusa, to explore isolation and sexual identity. Connor Kilian Weigand, as Narcissus, moves with melancholic agitation in front of a mirror. (He undresses, dresses and stares at his reflection with longing. When the mirror is removed, leaving a frame in its place, Drew Heflin, as the Observer, sits on one side watching the scene. After Yukiko Kashiki, the Objet d’Amour, joins in, the dance becomes a psychological drama of repressed emotions.”
– The New York Times
The precocious choreographer is a Broadway baby trying to break out of Broadway confines. His new work smartly draws assistance from successful veterans of that struggle. “Mirror Mirror” tackles sexual identity to a commissioned score by Michael John LaChiusa, played live by Jamie Schmidt.”
– The New Yorker
More satisfying, perhaps because it was more intellectual and had something of a story to it, was a dance of psychological investigation called “Mirror Mirror.” This was danced to an original score by Michael John LaChiusa and played by the sensitive fingers of Jamie Schmidt on a baby grand piano. “Mirror Mirror” was beautifully danced and intriguing as it unfolded and should be the pride of the company to be revived in future programs. I hope that if the day comes that The Chase Brock Experience finds itself playing on upon the City Center stage between seasons of Alvin Ailey and Paul Taylor, that “Mirror Mirror” will be in the program. Mr. Brock has a unique voice in the New York dance scene and I hope the company blossoms and can be received in larger venues where many more people will take the opportunity to see and delight in his work.”
– Michael Jay at the Theatre
