Dancemaker

It hasn't been a particularly good time for dance on the big screen. The films "Dance With Me," "Tango" and "The Tango Lesson" all featured some terrific dance scenes but suffered from awful plotting.

Fortunately, the superb, Oscar-nominated documentary "Dancemaker" corrects that mistake by concentrating, for the most part, on performances. And it doesn't hurt to have a story that is much more interesting than those featured in the aforementioned films.

Of course, it's not a story in the traditional sense.

"Dancemaker" follows the acclaimed Paul Taylor Dance Company as the troupe prepares to put on its newest piece, a tango-derived dance called "Piazzolla Caldera." The film also focuses on Taylor himself, who has been called "the world's greatest living choreographer."

Creating, practicing and performing the piece is not an easy process, however. The perfectionist choreographer first has to select which of the dancers will be in it, something that bruises a few egos and causes some resentment among the group.

Tempers also flare during the troupe's U.S. Embassy-sponsored tour of India, a tour that features production goofs, as well as a looming strike by unionized musicians — which threatens to shut down the entire Broadway season.

But through it all, Taylor and his dancers maintain their composure and professionalism. And their passion for dance finally culminates in an emotional performance of "Piazzola Caldera."

Despite the heavy concentration of dance scenes, "Dancemaker" isn't just a fluff piece. It's a warts-and-all portrait of Taylor, one that exposes some of the choreographer's eccentricities.

(A fascinating biographical section of the film even attempts to explain the psychology behind some of his most famous works, including "Esplanade" and "Cloven Kingdom.")

The movie also follows the day-to-day operations of the dance company, such as dealing with the striking musicians. This only deepens the material.

Admittedly, not all of the interviews are as interesting as the performances (particularly those with some rather stuffy dance critics). But director Matthew Diamond (a former dancer-turned-television-director) does an incredible job of summing up Taylor's brilliance.

And with help from Emmy-winning cinematographer Tom Hurwitz, he captures Taylor's dancers during some of their most riveting performances (especially in the boogie-woogie influenced "Company B" and the serene "Aureole").

"Dancemaker" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for brief male nudity, as well as some revealing dance outfits.

REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE and the Tower Theatre are teaming up for a benefit screening of "Dancemaker" at the theater on Monday, June 14.

The evening's events begin with a 6 p.m. reception hosted by the Coffee Garden, 898 S. 900 East. At 7 p.m., the dance troupe will perform selected works by late choreographer Chris Gillis, an alum of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Included will be a performance of the Gillis piece "Spel Id Owt," which will precede the screening.

A portion of the proceeds from the benefit screening will help fund RDT's programming.

Tickets are $15, and are available from both the Tower Theatre and Repertory Dance Theatre. For ticket information, call either 534-1000 or 481-7827.