Reviews are in! Lisa Kennedy (for The Denver Post) says Dance Nation is “cleverly provocative,” and notes that “the tween competitors in Dance Nation prove to be surprisingly wild.” Check out the full review below, and get tickets while they last!
Audience Reviews:
“This play reminded me of another recent play, The Wolves, about a girls high school soccer team. But this one is a much deeper dive. The characters here are dancers, and about 4 years younger, 11 to 13. Necessarily, they are played by older actors, all of whom handled the channeling of a younger self quite ably. The script pulls no punches. We get the whole passion play of adolescence, sometimes in ensemble, sometimes in monologue, always startlingly frank, and often with an astonishing grandiosity or a touching intimacy that will recall tweens you have known. Lacing it all together is a compelling choreography by Laura Ann Samuelson. Go see it!” - Chris Kendall, actor
“I loved this show - what a complicated, brilliant piece of timely art. It brought up thoughts of when I was younger and the struggles with friends, wanting to be ‘in’ with those I deemed popular, the attention of men even though I was only 13 and the yucky feelings I didn't quite understand because of it…my desire to be older, the desire to be chosen, saying stupid stuff to fit in, wishing I was invisible, etc. Every character carried an essence I could feel to my core. I seriously could talk for days about the show and the subtle secrets we all know all too well. Every performance was so complex and brilliant. Dance Teacher Pat's rabid desire to prove himself through a group of youth. Why no one ever referred to Luke in a way that allowed for him to stand in his true form. Maeve, Mom and Connie, just fantastic. And Ashlee's monologue, powerful AF! I had something in common with every role on that stage, we all do, if we are willing to look in the mirror. A phenomenal show.” - Kathleen Ham, owner and agent, Radical Artists Talent Agency
“A really fine evening of theater. The play and actors do a fine job reflecting the imaginations, fears, challenges, and strengths of preadolescent girls and one gay boy.” - Anonymous audience member
“It’s a fantastic show…it just works so incredibly as a whole.” - Anonymous audience member
“Every character was nuanced and rich. Loved the casting and staging. Also quite light in that I didn't feel a heaviness or sadness at the end.” - Anonymous audience member
“Just got home from seeing this raucous, rollicking, challenging, funny, heartbreaking, complicated, complex play--and kinda wanna see it again right away. If you can, go see this!” - Eryc Eyl