Newton Moraes Dance Company – Ihu and Saudades Do Brasil

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Brazilian-born choreographer Newton Moraes puts his heart on the stage. His rambling works are infused with sentiment, emotion and vulnerability.

Some might see his choreography as raw and unformed, but Moraes seems undaunted by what he puts into his dances. Perhaps it is the Latin in him, but he holds nothing back.

In his solo Ihu, the stage is literally festooned with a forest of balloons. Moraes’ journey of self-discovery threads its way through this festive landscape. In Ihu, the samba is the signature move that drives the choreography.

Saudades Do Brasil (Homesick for Brazil) is performed by seven dancers. Moraes’ metaphor that represents the zeitgeist of the Brazil of his memory is the jungle and animal imagery. Most ex-pat Brazilians would probably be homesick for carnival, fiesta and Carmen Miranda, but not Moraes. His animalistic vision of Brazil is uniquely his own.

Moraes’ charm is his unpredictability.

Newton Moraes Dance Theatre continues at Winchester Street Theatre until Sunday.

Ihu and Saudades Do Brasil
Newton Moraes Dance Theatre
Choreographed by Newton Moraes
Performed by Newton Moraes, Yohala Muy, Amanda Paixao, Kristina Udegbunam, Jelani A. Lam, Bokgabane Rakeepile, Sze-Yang Lam and Mikhail Morris
Winchester Street Theatre, Jul. 23, 2010