MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE ART REVIEWS : ‘CONTROLLED FALL’

“Controlled Fall,” a grab-bag of works by local choreographers and performance artists, ranged from the strong to the embarrassing Saturday at the Wallenboyd Theater.

Most powerful was David Leahy’s “Second Ending,” in which Leahy simulated his own drowning. Leahy juxtaposed a videotape of his arriving at a beach for a swim with similar actions performed live, but out-of-synch and with occasionally different time values.

Then, against the video’s freeze-frame on his beach towel, the live Leahy appeared to wade into water over his head, become increasingly weightless and eventually bob lifeless on the floor. A gripping, evocative performance.

In “A Found Object on a Sponge Field,” Young Ae Park and Luis Manuel explored mutual comfort, control and escape, vis-a-vis fascination with a beam of light. Their portrayal of male-female relationship, sadly weakened by pure-movement episodes, nevertheless was a welcome departure from the lack of focus that has characterized some of Park’s other recent work.

Imposing on the public’s indulgence were “It’s a Wink (1st Encounter),” in which writer Benjamin Weissman read wry short stories while Anita Pace hobbled through slinky Vegas-style routines on point; and Beth Lapides’ overly long, sometimes funny, New York shtick monologue.

Tina Gerstler’s recently reviewed “Succession” completed the program.