Music, Dance Reviews : Nine Choreographers Showcase Their Talent

At the Hollywood Playhouse through Sunday, “If the Shoe Fits” makes a statement about the creative spirit in the local commercial-dance community. Under the direction of Grover Dale, nine choreographers from film, TV, dance-video and musicals present new pieces--and only a few turn out to be predictable, audition-style showcases.

The rest prove freshly exploratory, often investigating and overturning commercial-dance cliches. For instance, Janet Roston’s “Lorna Mae Takes a Walk” focuses on the disgust of a restless young woman who discovers too late that she hates being a babe.

Bubba Carr’s “Cinderfella” shuffles nightmarish sexual symbols with a growing sense of rage. Kim Berner’s “Pointe Shoes to Combat Boots” emphasizes autobiographical text in conveying the dismay of a wanna-be ballerina marooned in the world of hip-hop. Alif Sankey’s “Woman of Life” contrasts generalized dance prettiness with painful documentary images from the street.

None of these works work; they’re weak on development and their expressive ideas overwhelm their dance resources.

But they stay with you longer than the easy successes: Denise Glebocki’s clever blacklight spectacle, “Galactic Encounter,” for instance, or Tom Slater and Cate Caplin’s gymnastic adagio, “NTMC 4 2,” or Karyne Ortega’s display of gestural funk, “Move Any Mountain” or Shanda Sawyer’s hyperglamorous string of duets, “Cathedral of the Heart.”

Frit and Frat Fuller come up with perhaps the most satisfying balance between sustained dance values and powerful content with “Stomp,” a percussive men’s piece with a sharp anti-war edge.

Works by Christine Sang and Ann Crosset complete the program, with Jim Barbaley’s resourceful lighting design and Allen Walls’ video interviews adding greatly to its pleasures.