Last Updated on May 2, 2024, 7:05 PM | Published: May 2, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — A limited engagement of traveling dance troupe 2nd Best Dance Company’s RED runs through May 4th, 2024 at Oklahoma Contemporary. Loosely based on the fable Little Red Riding Hood, RED is a modernized retelling of a familiar tale.
Contemporary Dance, spoken word prose, and traditional theatrical dialogue are woven throughout the two-hour show. Classical works from the likes of Chopin, folk tunes, and rockabilly are featured along with a recognizable tune from Abba. The eclectic mix of traditional and modern combine to create a dynamic, genre-bending show. The touring company performs this interactive, engaging, and unique experience with joy and humor, much to the delight and surprise of audiences.
Thoughtfully written, directed, and choreographed by company member Hannah Garner, RED is presented in a particular style of live performance that is not often seen in Oklahoma City.
Each scene is its own vignette, but the same themes and motifs persist throughout the show. Ideas of death, loneliness, fear, love, and longing travel beautifully with humor, levity, and absurdism. The audience is taken on a rich journey of fairytale proportions while remaining firmly rooted.
“We are so happy to be here in Oklahoma City for the first time!” said Garner during an invited dress rehearsal Wednesday. “I’m excited to experience Oklahoma City audiences. This has been a great week so far, weather and all.” She said.
After their stop in OKC, the company moves on to their next engagements in Dallas and Austin through mid-May. Though they’ve been touring RED for four years, this is the company’s first time visiting the Southern plains.
The four company members – Garner, Courtney Barth, Will Noling, and Ryan Yamauchi – perform the show with minimal props and no set inside the intimate Te Ata Theatre at Oklahoma Contemporary.
The black-box style stage provides the opportunity for movement in a pared-down presentation. The dance numbers are intricate and emotional. Dialogue interlaced between each dance number informs the more abstract moments, while the dancers tell the story with their bodies and faces.
RED is at times familiar and yet somehow wholly new, and it’s an experience unlike any other. It’s part dance, part play, and a whirlwind to take in.
Each performer has a solo number, and they carry the show during these moments while taking the time to shine individually. The rest of the cast offers supporting movement and dialogue. Complete with lighting design from Harrison Best and Matt Morris, with Stage Management by Jenny Brand, each scene is powerful and moving.
RED sheds a bold light on deeply held secrets and fears, provoking powerful emotion in every movement, while building characters and recreating old notions from the ground up.
While audience participation is encouraged, it is not required.
Patrons who are more comfortable just observing can do so without fear of being called upon. Those who wish to participate are given the chance to opt in when checking in at the box office. Participants wear stickers indicating their willingness to interact during the show and can take them off at any time. Those selected to interact can do so without leaving their seats. The interaction is simple and guided by the cast, so everyone can enjoy the show at their own comfort level.
The performance on Thursday, May 2nd is followed by a post-show reception. A post-show discussion with the cast follows the performance on May 3rd. All performances begin at 7 PM.
In addition to the three evening performances, 2nd Best Dance Company is also hosting a free contemporary dance workshop at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4th at Oklahoma Contemporary.
All skill and experience levels are welcome to sign up for the workshop on the Oklahoma Contemporary website. Walk-ins will also be accepted as space allows.
Visit okcontemporary.org to buy tickets or sign up for the workshop.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
