Fork and Stick Thing Review

“In A Fork And Stick Thing, Revlock accentuated the kinetic representation of rhythmically spoken words. With performer Kristel Baldoz by her side, both women moved in synchronicity to strands of words such as “light, gone, time, flipping.” The sound score, composed by Jacob Mitas and Justin Moynihan, evolved throughout the piece from rhythmic text to instrumental music. While it was interesting to see what each word would ‘move’ like in Revlock’s world, when the instrumental music became interlocked with the movement, it was mesmerizing—suddenly the notes and the movement fitted seamlessly into this theatrical canvas. Revlock’s entertaining choreography led the audience through a journey of perfectly timed phrasing where every limbs’ motion had an accompanying sound. Baldoz and Revlock’s sharply executed steps were truly expressive; their focus, however, seemed to have been left in automatic mode. Their performance quality recalled Merce Cunningham’s work, in which precisely timed patterns made the dancers become focused to the point were no emotion showed. The rest of their bodies, however, contrasted their shielded stares. Revlock’s work, filled with floor choreography that highlighted the dancers’ leg extensions, refreshed the audience’s eyes and—especially—ears. She made people realize how connected the body is to rhythm and music and vibrations. At one point Baldoz took out a flute and played comically with Revlock bouncing across the stage. The mood abruptly softened, and, with both performers lying supine, the room filled with the bagpipe-esque music. This Philly artist has a talent for thematically combining dance into a music piece. It will be fascinating to see her continue to progress throughout the coming years.” – Carla María Negrete Martínez (SeattleDances.blogspot.com)