The line of male
dancers
moves slowly toward front stage.
Each blows a bamboo pipe,
accentuates an unseen orchestra.
Pipes become
balance beams.
Dancers spin and counterspin
on and off pivoted pipes.
A large screen
projects
a ridge through rainforest river,
dancers clad in green and brown
the battle between trees and loggers.
From penera to
hammocks to hats,
props and dancers work together,
convey some of Brazil's stories.
No abstract nonsense
here.
No "What did we just see?"
No "What was that all about?"
No "What a waste of my time and money."
This is what
dance should be:
intelligent, visually beautiful,
creatively clever, with excellent technique.
When the live
band rises from below the stage,
playing music of traditional Brazilian culture
all levels of the Teatro offer standing ovation.
Dance, music,
plays once again shine
from the glorious man stage.
Teatro Amazonas: tourist "must-see."