by Iris Dorbian
Despite monsoon-like weather conditions that forced the New York-based Buglisi/Foreman dance troupe to cancel their August 29 and 30 outdoor performances at the first an annual San Marino Stage Festival, the former Martha Graham dancers prevailed in the end. Switching to an indoor space within a matter of hours, the company, led by the husband and wife team of Donlin Foreman and Jacqulyn Buglisi, performed heroically. Representing the United States at the festival in the independent republic of San Marino, Italy, one of the oldest democracies in the world, the company held their European audience enthralled for over two hours.
Special highlights included principal dancer and associate founder Terese Capucilli's wonderfully soulful interpretation of the great French actress Sarah Bernhardt in Against All Odds (Quand Meme), complete with hauntingly evocative music by Rachmaninoff and recorded voice over by the divine one herself. Decked in a beautifully brocaded period costume trimmed in lace (designed by Christina Giannini and the ever versatile Jacqulyn),Terese was passion incarnate, executing Jacqulyn's stunning choreography with larger than life panache that would make its subject ever so proud.
Another standout in the program was the ferociously carnal pas de deux of Threshold. With Terese and Donlin taking center stage, garbed in torn, flesh-colored primitive gear, both superbly portrayed lovers caught in an undertow of unbridled desire. The piece offered astonishingly brave and honest choreography by the gifted Jacqulyn. Also performed in the program were So I May Say, Prelude, Sospiri and Field Of Loves. Other recent performances for this company include a stint at Australia's premier State Theater for the 1999 Melbourne Festival. For more info, log on at www.buglisi-foreman.org.
