In memory of the late Glorya Kaufman, a preeminent cultural philanthropist in Los Angeles of the 21st century, the energy and fire of her vibrant dance series flourishes.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10-31-2025
On October 25, 2025, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion pulsed with raw energy as Complexions Contemporary Ballet took the stage. Presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, the evening unfolded as a triumph of technical mastery and emotional daring. Under the visionary direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, the company once again proved that contemporary ballet can be both athletic and profoundly human.
Founded to blur the lines between classical and modern dance, Complexions moves with seamless versatility. Sixteen dancers perform as one living instrument, uniting precision with freedom, discipline with fire. Every phrase feels deliberate yet spontaneous, embodying the company’s mission to illuminate the complexity of the human experience through motion.
The program opened with Retro Suite, an exhilarating journey through Complexions’ choreographic lineage. The work felt like a living dialogue between tradition and innovation—where Alvin Ailey’s communal pulse met Martha Graham’s emotional gravity. The dancers’ articulation was exquisite, their intensity unwavering. Each gesture cut through space with both sensuality and restraint. The result was a kinetic tapestry of memory and momentum, a salute to the heritage that shaped the company’s voice.
The second half, For Crying Out Loud, translated U2’s Songs of Surrender into movement. Rhoden’s choreography reached for the spiritual core beneath the band’s familiar anthems, capturing the yearning that drives Bono’s lyrics. The dancers responded with fearless vulnerability, turning melody into muscle and rhythm into breath.
Not every song was a perfect fit. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” felt slightly confined, its soaring anthem resisting the introspection of modern dance. Yet “With or Without You” was sublime—a haunting duet of longing and release that distilled the song’s ache into pure movement. “Vertigo” ignited the stage, a blur of rhythm and power that channeled rock’s chaos into sculpted precision. Across these shifts, Rhoden revealed the fragile balance between public exaltation and private emotion.
The 2025–2026 Dance Season, dedicated to the late Glorya Kaufman, stands as a testament to her enduring legacy of artistic vision. Complexions Contemporary Ballet delivered a performance that transcended genre and expectation—a soul-stirring fusion of sound and motion. As the curtain fell, the audience rose in shared awe, celebrating a company that continues to define the future of dance with fearless grace.
