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Stephen Petronio at The Joyce
by Martha Moldovan

After viewing a full-blown compilation of the works of Stephen Petronio, one is left in awe of a choreography filled with aggressiveness, energy, technique, and sexuality. The piece which was presented at the Joyce Theater, located in trendy downtown Manhattan, appropriately attracted an equally hip New York audience. A certain buzz filled the room as the house lights dimmed and Petronio along with his company, appeared in a line across the stage. The dancers were dressed in chic black attire designed by Tara Subkoff of Imitation of Christ. Immediately captivating the viewers, they began to weave, tangle, and support each others' bodies in the performance of Prelude, one of Petronio's older works.

Along with such dated pieces as Prelude, Lareigne, and MiddleSexGorge, Petronio premiered his newest masterpiece, bud. The catchy melodies of Rufus Wainwright fit perfectly into the mold of the dance. The music contributed to the swift and weightless movements of the two performers, Thang Dao and Gino Grenek. bud gracefully achieved in displaying the love, support, and loyalty of two men. It was short, yet definitely affective. Its honesty was inspirational.

Compared to Prelude, Lareigne, and MiddleSexGorge, bud seemed to be less of an eye work-out. Its simplicity was somewhat of a break from the intensity of Petronio's other works. Filled with "pelvic thrust forward, spine whipping, [and] limbs slashing, " the complicated choreographies were sensational in their intricacy and set-up. Stephen Petronio is a master in utilizing the stage space provided for him.

As the choreographer and his dancers took their bows, it was clear to see that everyone on the stage was extremely talented. Each performer had an authenticity which prevailed throughout the entire show. It was difficult to pick favorites, as from each of them emerged an energy only seen in a Petronio production. His stylized dancing should start a genre of its own, titled "Genius".