JULY 23, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 17

ENTERTAINMENT

Versatile ballet choreographer loves Cleveland

by Charlton Harper

Versatility is a key ingredient to any artist's survival. It's a point that Cleveland Ballet dancer Joe Konicki-presenting members of Cleveland Ballet in "An Evening of Dance," July 23 at 8:30 pm at Cain Park-knows well.

His motivation for staging the show stems from two desires: to remind the community that there is a dance presence in Cleveland even in the off-season; and to provide the opportunity for employment to area dancers by supplementing the usual summer scramble of teaching, guest appearances with other companies and unemployment.

Konicki's exposure as a choreographer dates from 1981 with BalletMet in Columbus, but his professional dance career began in 1976 with his first season at Cleveland Ballet. He admires the work of Artistic Director Dennis Nahat and notes Nahat's support of his choreographic endeavors. He also danced with Los Angeles Ballet and discovered that Broadway suited his natural gymnastic inclinations, a fact that manifests itself in his work. He worked with both Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins and cites their influence in the shaping of his own neoclassical, contemporary style.

His choreography credits include work with companies in Canton, Toledo, Tampa, Columbus and Kentucky. Currently he is working on a program for the Cecchetti Council, a Cleveland Ballet-sponsored national dance symposium, to be held here in July, and a commission from Columbus Youth Ballet for an August premiere.

The Cain Park performance consists of Prism, an original ballet set to music by Vangelis, and the Swan Lake Pas de Deux, with Cynthia Graham and Mark Otloski in Dennis Nahat's staging. "I wanted Cynthia to perform the pas de deux because it's unfortunate that Cleveland audiences didn't get to see her in the last run of Swan Lake. I respect her work so much. We go back to the beginning with Cleveland Ballet. I couldn't think of anyone better for the role."

The highlight of the evening will be Konicki's 1989 staging of Suite Cinderella, a retelling of the fairy tale that was premiered in Konicki's hometown of Springfield, Ohio. "It was the first ballet created and premiered in Springfield," he says proudly. He's also proud of the grants he received to create the work, grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the City of Springfield. There is a surprise or two in the casting. The ugly, wicked step-sisters will be danced by Kevin Thomas and Jon Carlo Franchi, a neat trick that adds to the sisters' grotesqueness while also exploiting Konicki's acrobatic tastes. The gender bending goes a step further with the casting of Diedre Byrne as the Dancing Master. He thinks the familiar storyline will appeal to everyone, especially families and children.

From a producer's point of view Konicki notes that "it's easier to raise funds for a commercial production than something serious. It's harder to get people to support something dramatic that will make them think about life. But you can't market yourself out of business. Hopefully you strike a balance."

His more introspective side can be seen in Synthesis, a work inspired by AIDS and the personal and professional losses Konicki has experienced. It features two men, set to music by Philadelphia composer Carter Burnett. "It's about self-discovery and reaching out, men touching each other, helping each other. It's a very sexy piece, the kind of thing that works well for benefits," he hints. The piece was most recently performed at a memorial service last summer for Jeff Jones, a former Cleveland Ballet member who died of AIDS in July of 1992. "Jeff was like a big brother to me when I came to Cleveland, he helped me so much. He was one of the original performers in Suite Cinderella. We'll be dedicating the Cain Park show to him." He reflects often about the people he's lost to AIDS, the former dancers. "While I'm on stage I can feel their presence. I know they're still here with me. I'm proud to carry on their roles."

Konicki returned to Cleveland in 1992 at the invitation of Dennis Nahat. Twelve years on and how does it feel? "Well I returned and did Celebrations and Ode, a work I first did in 1980. It's very satisfying to realize you still have the strength and stamina, that you're still physically and emotionally capable twelve years later. With the familiarity also comes the freedom to further explore the material and then to pass it on by coaching others."

He's also optimistic about dance in general. "A friend in New York says there's a new sobriety in the air and I can see that. Maybe with the controversy over the NEA

easing a bit, people won't be so reticent about art on the edge."

He also points to the support he's received from everyone, Cain Park, Dennis Nahat, his administrator Margaret Carlson, and the dancers involved. So, any future producing? "I'm just concentrating on this summer. There is the possibility for a future tour and further commissions. We just want to dance. We like Cleveland. We'd rather work 50 weeks a year in Cleveland if we could. Who knows, maybe be artistic director of my own company. If you know anyone who has a theater..." he laughs, already planning that next show.

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Everywoman faces the change of life

Cleveland Public Theatre is hosting two performances of Everywoman, a new contemporary telling of the morality play, July 30 and 31.

Written by lesbian playwright Pamela Simones from Akron, it's a play that addresses women's perceived role in society. Simones wrote the incest-woven play Sins of the Mother that was read at CPT in January.

The performances are produced by the Low Budget Theater Company and directed by Wendy S. Duke, founder of Akron's A Theatre of Sorts.

Everywoman, played by Teresa

McCormish Hurray, is head of the multiglomerate Mega Maxi Corporation, facing the "death" that all women face: the change of life. . . menopause. This is a contemporary satire, complete with music and slapstick comedy featuring characters like Fairweather Friend, her jogging part-

ner.

The $5 ticket price benefits CPT and also includes additional entertainment following the play. On Friday, it's musical guest The Struggling Nobodies; on Saturday see a performance by A Theatre of Sorts. CPT is at 6415 Detroit Ave. Show time is 8 pm. Call 631-2727 for more info.

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