Dance : Jazz Dancing in ‘Soul Inspiration’ at Ivar Theater

Los Angeles’ newest dance company isn’t really a company at all, but 30 young performers recruited from local studios for a showcase titled “The Concert: A Soul Inspiration” at the Ivar Theater on Saturday. Painted Black Productions produced the nine-part program, which emphasized commercial jazz dancing.

Co-directors Eartha Robinson and Lacy Darryl Phillips each created grandiose essays in nightclub spiritualism, and Robinson even invaded “Nutcracker” turf with a piece about a little girl whose favorite doll comes to life.

The highlights, however, came courtesy of stellar guests. Debbie Allen, for instance, provided an expert Ailey pastiche in “Show Me the Way” (danced strongly by Robinson), and Michael Peters fluently used ballet to define mercurial emotions in the “Transcending” solo (danced skillfully by Vincent Boyle) from “L.I.F.E.: Love Is for Eternity.”

Peters also supplied the most extreme example of brutality chic on the program: “Aspects,” in which platoons of dancers wearing a little black and lots of see-through net pumped virtuoso technique, simulated sex and drop-dead attitude in the face of a screaming audience.

More subdued, Winston DeWitt Hemsley’s “Ember” exploited deeply sculpted, soulful movement and an intriguing use of both space and sequencing--the evening’s class act, made even more impressive by the sweetness and power of Edgar Godineaux in the leading role. David Robinson also looked impressive here and in three other pieces.

Among the women, Keiko Kanba, Robbin Tasha Ford and Eartha Robinson seemed especially proficient Saturday, but shaky balances in extension and mediocre partnering kept the level of dancing subprofessional through much of the evening.