In the hands of choreographer Bill T. Jones, dance becomes an extraordinary tool for probing life's big questions and journeying toward understanding. In this new evening-length work, Blind Date explores patriotism, honor, sacrifice, and service to a cause larger than oneself-values all but lost in our modern world. Jones's technically stunning 10-member company performs in a sensory landscape of primary colors, video imagery, and musical influences from around the world. As if on a "blind date," wisdom and eloquence meet dumbed-down fundamentalism in this explosive meditation on opposing forces and contrasting beliefs.

Originally intended to be a documentary of the Company today, Blind Date contains personal stories from the international cast, gestural dance phrases eerily reminiscent of a military boot camp, and all of the complex artistry that Bill T. Jones is known for. Bjorn Amelan has designed an evocative and flexible environment of variously sized screens that act as an ever-changing landscape. On these screens are projections designed by video artist Peter Nigrini that include text in multiple languages, people, places, and things that interact with and enrich the live performance. Music Director/Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and his collaborators provide a sound score that serves a similar purpose, ranging from Bach to Otis Redding to the Mexican national anthem. Bill T. Jones and his dancers are joined by actor Andrea Smith, and in certain venues, live accompaniment. The result is a multi-layered dance theater experience that is "at once moving, sexy, funny, thoughtful, and sad." - John Rockwell, The New York Times

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Photo: Paul B. Goode