On March 5, the guy sitting “midcourt,” row 16, says to his wife, “105 to 94 with 58 seconds left.”
“It’s impossible. They’ll never win now,” she answers.
“Certainly not very likely,” he agrees
One would think this pair was cheering on the Bulls at the UC or Northwestern’s Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Instead, this was intermission at the “Riverdance” production company’s premiere United States performance of its new dance extravaganza, “Heartbeat of Home.”
The sad thing is, these two huddled around their iPhone didn’t seem to realize the performers they actually came to see live at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre were undeniably the best athletes in Chicago that night. And that’ll remain true through March 16, when their tour moves on.
Because the talent of “Heartbeat”’s dancers and musicians not only isn’t second to Joakim Noah’s; it’s second to none. Their aptitude, along with impeccable choreography, inspired musicianship and truly lovely cinema projections combine to provide a sexy, entrancing, ethereal experience.
Lead Irish dancer Ciara Sexton is simply mesmerizing. She owns the stage with incredible artistry and athleticism and strengthens that command with a delightful, sassy, short, dark-brunette style that draws patrons’ attention wherever she goes.
Sexton does not shine alone. Her male counterpart, Bobby Hodges, is a fine Michael Flatley successor. Afro-Cuban dancers Teneisha Bonner, Kieran Donovan and Renako McDonald are a show in themselves. So, too, are Clare Craze, Vanessa Guevara, Curtis Angus and Angelo Gioffre, who bring Latin dance stylings into the mix, along with Flamenco dancers Rocio Montoya and Stefano Domit.
No one can deny the heartbeat of this stunning production is strong. But it’s the deference to home (a.k.a. Ireland) that can be a bit off-putting to some.
The Irish dance style and musical brand can, in excess, begin to feel haunting, regimented and cold. While “Heartbeat” works to incorporate more Latin, Afro-Cuban and Flamenco stylings into its repertoire than its “Riverdance” predecessor, Director John McColgan never allows any of these other genres enough of their own spotlight.
So in the midst of a street dance number, for example, the Afro-Cubans are accosted and ultimately drowned out by a clogging, straight-legged Irish mob. Rap gives way to uilleann pipe and tin whistle. The misty fog rolls in. And the audience is left to ponder what just happened. And why.
There’s absolutely no question as to who dad’s favorite is here. Two-thirds of the dance cast specializes in Irish. So while “Heartbeat of Home” takes a step in the right direction on the road to eclecticism for this company, it would be even better served by not forcing together disparate styles outside the opening and closing all-cast numbers.
But make no mistake, sheer talent and electric staging far outweigh any nit offered by a lone observer. And with reasonably-priced tickets offered through Broadway in Chicago for a high-level production different from any other entertainment offering in town, there’s no reason not to check (out) this “Heartbeat” before the heartbreaks of March Madness begin.
“Heartbeat of Home” at Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, Chicago, runs through March 16. Tickets cost $30-85 and are available at Broadway in Chicago box offices, online, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-775-2000.
Barry Reszel is a Libertyville-based writer, at-home dad and executive director of the not-for-profit entertainment company Liberty Town Productions.
