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A subtle shimmer of silver dyed leotards flash on stage alluring the audience to join the deep ocean world and engage with bright blue dolphins, sprightly sea otters and colorful sea turtles, and the majestic beauties of the ocean: the grey whale.
“Silent Roar” is an enticing tale about a pod of grey whales (danced by the Bethune Theaterdanse company) that journey the turbulent migration path from Alaska to Baja California and back while staving off predators such as sharks and killer whales while travelling along the migratory path. Encountering oils spills, separation, being hunted by humans, and becoming stranded on the beach, it is revealed how delicate and precious the ocean life is and how easy it is to become imbalanced threatening their everyday life.
A brilliantly artistic performance, directed and choreographed by Zina Bethune, the Bethune Theaterdanse troop portrays the personalities of undersea creatures with zeal and creativity through ballet, break dancing, and gymnastics. Marine paintings, video art and murals, by Robert Wyland, the infamous marine artist, accent the stage throughout the course of the performance. To complete the transition from land to sea, whale calls punctuate the relaxing and fluid music that flowed freely during the scenes balancing the dancers delicately on the notes of the ocean.
With awe-inducing aerial acrobatics, break dancing, gymnastic hoop work, gorgeous arabesques, and beautiful point work, gratitude trickles through the audience through gasps of anticipation and appreciative applause. My favorite part of the performance was when the otters danced through the air through ribbons of algae flowing freely through the ocean while the teenage grey whale playfully intertwines himself through the base of the algae. A touching and powerful scene that resonated within me that regardless of species, location, or time, humans are no different from these beautiful and graceful creatures. Encountering life at different levels I was able to understand the life and growth of the teenage grey whale through lively and spirited experiences.
The unique trait of Bethune Theaterdanse includes and utilizes differently abled persons during their performances, one of the primary characters of this poignant performance is a prime example that everyone can dance and perform.
A great performance filled with love, sudden departure and feelings of abandonment with environmental awareness undertones and sometimes a little too preachy, Silent Roar was an excellent way to escape the rain soaked environment and dive beneath the waves into sinuous and calming world.
Silent Roar is currently being performed Saturday February 6 at 2:00 and 8:00pm and on Sunday February 7 at 5:00pm at:
Glendale Community College Theatre
1500 North Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
You may purchase tickets for $35.00 (General Admission) by calling (800)838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com . Tickets may also be purchased at the box office for a special student and senior citizen discount.
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