October 28, 2007
'Duets are totally in my comfort zone'
By Valerie Scher
UNION-TRIBUNE CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC
As dancers Christine Marshall and Michael Mizerany rehearse John Malashock's new “Silver and Gold,” there's no doubt that the duet depicts a highly ambivalent relationship.
At one point, she sits on his chest, as if he's as comfortable as a cushy chair. At another point, she pushes him away with her flexed foot. They twist and crawl, roll and rock, engaging in lifts so inventive they redefine the meaning of a delicate balance. At the end, they slowly pivot together, seemingly powerless to break out – or break up.
A savvy blend of psychology and physicality, “Silver and Gold” is one of 14 duet-based works in “Let's Duet,” which opens Malashock Dance's 20th anniversary season with performances Friday through Sunday at Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. “Duets are totally in my comfort zone,” says Malashock. “By that I don't mean safe. I mean they're where I can do the most – take the most risks and find the most expression. I just love working in that form.
At 53, he's a master of modern duets, influenced by everything from watching the Royal Ballet's legendary Antoinette Sibley and Anthony Dowell while a dance student in London to performing in duets when he was a member of New York's acclaimed Twyla Tharp Dance.
As choreographer and artistic director of his own company, Malashock has made duets a staple of the troupe's repertoire.
“Silver and Gold,” the most recent work, even has a company nickname – “Sliver and Old.” The “sliver” refers to dancer Marshall, 28, a petite Honolulu native with a dance degree from California State University Fullerton, who joined Malashock Dance in February.
The “old” refers to Mizerany, her muscular, 44-year-old partner, who doesn't seem to mind the dig. Or the other differences between them.
He's tall (5-foot-11); she's petite (at 5-foot-1). He's outgoing; she's a little shy. He has a wealth of experience; she's still in the early stages of a professional career.
Despite the contrasts, Mizerany and Marshall seem made for each other.
“There's an uncanny relationship between Michael and Christine – they have a perfect chemistry,” Malashock says.
Ask the dancers what's most important when performing a duet and they both agree on the answer – trust.
“It's a matter of physical trust as well as emotional trust,” says Mizerany as Marshall nods in agreement.
The physical trust is apparent in “Silver and Gold,” when he hoists her into the air for intricate, perilous moves. The couple calls them “unsavable lifts,” meaning that if something goes wrong, Marshall will fall.
Meanwhile, the emotional trust gives them the freedom to experiment with their interpretation of Malashock's choreography.
“There's a lot going on in John's dances,” says Marshall.
Married to Nina Malashock, a dancer, artist and licensed psychotherapist, and the father of their son, Duncan, who turns 25 on Halloween, Malashock has long funneled observations about himself and others into his duets. They deal with a variety of issues, from the balance of power in relationships to conflicting parts of a person's psyche.
“What fascinates me most is that I don't ever feel at risk of repeating myself,” Malashock says. “I could spend my whole career making duets.”
DETAILS
“Let's Duet”
Choreography by John Malashock, performed by Malashock Dance
When: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m.
Where: Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall, 5775 Morehouse Drive, Sorrento Mesa
Tickets: $20 to $30 ($15 for students) Phone: (619) 260-1622
Online: malashockdance.org