Capital Fringe Review: ‘Souls’ by Joel Markowitz


A group of young dancers put their hearts and souls into Mayzsoul Dance Company’s energetic and beautiful production Souls. Described as “a thoughtful and moving metaphysical narrative, it follows lost souls as they help a new soul navigate through a labyrinth of relationships to help him discover his place and ultimately their place in life. Perhaps they will find that truth lies in their lost state and that they have no permanent self, only to discover their souls are part of an ever-changing entity.”

Frankly I didn’t understand the storyline very well, and the card we were handed that served as a program listed 8 different dances or sections choreographed by 8 different choreographers with music by Four Tet, Fight Mannequins and Paul de Jong. I couldn’t figure out when one dance ended and the next one began.

Souls featured several different musical compositions and styles – some jazzy, some bouncy, some fast, some slow, some rhythmic, and some toe-tapping. But what was most important and most impressive is that all of the different styles all worked well together  – and they all meshed into a gorgeous exhibition of joy, energy, beautiful dancing, and teamwork.

Julius Elegido was sensational moving and dancing and sliding and rolling on and around the stage with his equally talented and enthusiastic fellow bundles of energy – Claire Brunette, Shelly Hartsook,  Jenn Ruhl Kubilus, Laura Lamp, Michelle Murgia, Monica Murgia, Tyree Ramos, Ashley Ruhl, and Joy Thomas.

I walked out of The Gala Hispanic Theatre with a wide smile. What a great way to start this year’s Capital Fringe Festival.

These dancers and this show have soul!

LINK

Meet the dancers ofSouls.

For more information on the show and to purchase tickets, read a Fringe Preview of Souls.

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Joel Markowitz
Joel Markowitz is the Publisher and Editor of DCMetroTheaterArts. He founded the site with his brother Bruce to help promote the vast riches of theatre and the arts in the DC Metro area that includes Maryland, Virginia, and DC theater and music venues, universities, schools, Children's theaters, professional, and community theatres. Joel is an advocate for promoting the 'stars of the future' in his popular 'Scene Stealers' articles. He wrote a column for 5 years called ‘Theatre Schmooze’ and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. His work can also be seen and read on BroadwayStars. Joel also wrote a monthly preview of what was about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. He is an avid film and theater goer, and a suffering Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. Joel was a regular guest on 'The Lunch and Judy Show' radio program starring Judy Stadt in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, which had a 25-year run when it took its final curtain call last year. Joel is a proud member of The American Critics Association.

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