Shadowland

Shadowland

Pilobolus Dance Theatre

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

November 22, 2015

Photo courtesy of NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

After an extensive European tour, Shadowland, Pilobolus’ latest creation, is making its North American premier at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.  This astonishing seventy minute full-length piece is conceived and developed in the unique and successful collaborative style that Pilobolus is famous for.  The nine dancers are strong, skillful artists who defy gravity and lift the spirits of every member of the audience.

Photo courtesy of Pilobolus

Shadowland tells the coming of age story of a girl who longs to be a grown up.  The main part of the piece is a dreamscape where she faces the shadows of her fears and realizes the truth of her individual self.  Shadow screens are flipped over, rolled around the stage, carried by hand, and flown in, allowing the story to be told in both shadow and fully-viewed sections.  This variety gives insight into how the main character views herself.  You are therefore able to emotionally connect to her psychological journey.  

Photo courtesy of Pilobolus

I took my two nieces to the performance.  Brianna, a high school freshman, who experienced Pilobolus for the first time said, “I feel the piece portrayed how you should always be yourself and not change for other people.”  Madeline, a twenty-three years old accountant, saw Pilobolus two summers ago at the Joyce Theatre and is now a confirmed Pilobolus groupie.  She said, "The level of emotion was heightened through the shadow play.  I didn’t need to see their faces since the illusion of the shadow effects were so expressive and riveting.”

If you have never experienced Pilobolus, run to the Skirball Center and get a ticket.  Shadowland is playing through December 6.

Domenick Danza