By Alan Bresloff www.steadstylechicago.com

We are very lucky in Chicago when it comes to dance programs.  We have the Joffrey, Luna Negra and of course the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a premiere contemporary dance company.  They are now doing their Spring 2010 dance at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance located at 205 E. Randolph Street.  This show includes four brilliant choreographers, two world premieres, one company premiere and one company revival and is riveting from start to end.

The first part of the program is a world premiere entitled "First Light" featuring the choreography of Alejandro Cerrudo.  It is a sparkling number that has its dancers gliding across the floor that appears to be white vinyl strips.  One would swear that they were skating instead of dancing and the movements are those of a skater as well.  After a short pause, we go into Susan Marshall's unique "Kiss" where the two dancers are on what appears to be bungee cords, allowing them a freedom of movement that appears to be as if they were floating or swimming, in love.  "Kiss" is a mixture of Ballet, modern and post modern dance movement and is both sensual and emotional.  Our dancers are suspended in "eternity" and were able to move and twist without ever having their cords get caught up on the other.  Almost like life itself, our paths cross, we share our days with others, yet we are able to go our own way when the time is right.

After a brief intermission, we come back for a World Premiere called "At' Em (ATEM) Adam" choreographed by Terrence Marling.  This combines various music and dance styles featuring music by George Gershwin and "Druid Fluid", songs by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday as well as "Duetti per Due violini: Flamma" by Luciano Berio as recorded by Bis.  This is an interesting piece that utilizes all the forms of creative dance with a little ballet thrown in.

After another intermission, we are greeted with a stage full of dancers who appear to be warming up on the mats as we take our seats.  This number, choreographed by Jiri Kylian features Ana Lopez, Alejandro Cerrudo, Penny Saunders, Kevin Shannon, Meredith Dincolo and Benjamin Wardell and is a company premiere that takes us into a game of hide and seek.  It is called 27'52" and has the dancers seeking each other, being held, pulling and pushing away and back and each segment allows the dancers to exit the stage alone.  The floor panels are used for hiding and sliding, and then disappear.  Hanging pipes are lowered to add to the mystery of the hide and seek game, and at the end they all fall from above, hiding the dancers who are now alone on the floor in total darkness.

This performance is a true experience for those who love modern and contemporary dance. The pity is that the limited performance schedule doesn't allow for all of Chicago to witness this riveting performance.  That being the case, you might want to mark your Summer schedule for June 3-6 when they will present their Sizzling Summer Series at The Harris in Millennium Park.  Vist www.hubbardstreetdance.com.

This performance will perform Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 20 at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m.  On Saturday, March 20 at 3 p.m. a limited performance by HS2, Hubbard Street's second company, a family matinee, one hour special program will be performed with some other works, but "First Light" will make its way into this show.  This show is a special $5 ticket and includes a backstage tour.  Tickets range in price from $25 to $90 and are available by calling 312-850-9744 or at the box office.