By
Lisa Lucas
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Dance performance show 'Odyssey 2001' comes to Centennial Hall tonight
On a stage typically reserved for big Broadway shows and well-known music performers, members of the UA Dance Ensemble will put on their own lavish event when they perform in the UA production of "Odyssey 2001."
"It's an amazing show," said University of Arizona senior and dance major Miguel Perez, who will perform in "Odyssey" tonight.
The show will include performances by Ballet Tucson, Orts Theatre of Dance and the UA Dance Ensemble.
The UA dance division will be showing two pieces performed by UA dancers.
John M. Wilson, professor of dance, will be staging "Indiri's Dream," a piece, as stated in a press release, "based loosely on a story of an ancient Hindu girl and her love for Krishna."
James Clouser, internationally recognized choreographer and a temporary guest instructor with the UA dance program, will be staging the famous "Carmina Burana" at the show's close.
An array of UA dancers will perform Clouser's production tonight, which has been previously performed by professional companies such as the Houston Ballet, Washington Ballet and Chicago Ballet.
Perez said that the 24 dancers in "Carmina Burana" range from freshmen to seniors and that many of the dancers working on the show have not danced together previously.
"It (the show) has a variety of cast members," Perez said. "(There are) a variety of ages and levels, so it's been a great experience."
Clouser said the dancers have grown significantly since beginning rehearsal of the piece about two months ago.
"We had a magnificent rehearsal (Wednesday), one of those times when it just gelled," he said.
The dancers also are feeling the effects of a performance that has ultimately come together.
"('Carmina Burana') has really challenged me to find something deep inside, some feeling or emotion to bring out through my character," Perez said. "In some other ballets, you don't necessarily feel the character."
Clouser described the piece as poetry-like, with theological arguments weaved into the dance's story.
"It's kind of like a soap opera," Perez said. "It tells a story about good and evil, and at the end good always wins."
The musical score for the piece, originally created by Carl Orff in 1937, was Clouser's inspiration for the choreography.
"The concept came out of the music, and the music came out of the medieval argument between predestination and will," Clouser said.
The score may be familiar to audience members. It has been used in various contemporary media, including the film "Excalibur" and in the movie trailer for "Glory."
"Everyone can relate (to the piece) in some way because you know they've heard the music before," Perez said.
"As soon as the first note hits, it just hits you. It's such a strong musical score throughout the whole thing. There's parts that can make you cry, parts that make you sad and happy, parts that leave you with anger. (It's) very powerful."
Both Clouser and Perez agreed that "Odyssey 2001" will bring dance to a personal level for its audience.
"People should expect a wonderful show," Perez said.
