Last night, UNA Productions featured their Canadian premiere of Coloring by choreographer and Artistic Director Chuck Wilt at the Norman Rothstein Theatre as part of the Chutzpah Festival. Starting off with a bold statement, featuring a cellist dressed in drag (Stevie Rose aka Rose Nylons), it was elegant and beautiful. This episodic dance was inspired by themes of identity, unity and shown through queer histories, drawing inspiration from personal narratives and bodies of artwork from members of the LGBTQ community. Each work within the piece was unique providing elements of intrigue, movement and versatility. I loved the beginning almost as much as I loved “pump up the jam” that provided exuberance and put smiles on members of the audience. UNA is a bi-coastal dance company based in New York City and California.
After intermission, the 2nd work was a duet entitled “The Other Half”, created and performed by Chutzpah! Artists-in-Residence, Vancouver’s Vanessa Goodman and New York-based Belinda McGuire with Lighting Designer James Proudfoot.
Coloring has 2 remaining performances in Vancouver, tonight and tomorrow, grab your tickets here.