Hot Topicality Cooling Down in ‘Still/Here’

A year ago, choreographer Bill T. Jones’ “Still/Here” arrived for its Los Angeles premiere in a swirl of controversy. The prominent New York dance critic Arlene Croce had called it “victim art” and refused to review it, asserting that Jones’ incorporation of videotaped interviews with AIDS and terminally ill cancer patients had put him and the piece “beyond the reach of criticism.”

The issue flared into polemics, and positions rigidified.

A year later, Croce’s points remain worth arguing, but their hot topicality has cooled. Seen Tuesday at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, “Still/Here” looked more febrile, fitful, arbitrary and empty than powerful or profound in movement invention and meaning, especially judged against Jones’ previous works.

Gretchen Bender’s video imagery emotionally dominated the proceedings. A single image--a stocky woman holding her arms out--brought us closer to tears than a whole half-hour of busy activity by the dancers onstage.

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company remains strong and physically diverse. But personnel changes have occurred. Half the 10-member company dancing in Orange County had not appeared last year in Los Angeles.

Lelani Barrett now delivers the important “Denial” monologue written and previously performed by Lawrence Goldhuber, who is on company leave. Barrett spoke the lines and acted the movements conscientiously, but not as seamlessly, effortlessly or inevitably as his predecessor had.

Other new faces included Alexandra Beller, Mark Davis, Keith Johnson and Marc Mann.

L.A. alumni included Josie Coyoc, Rosalynde LeBlanc, Odile Reine-Adelaide and Maya Saffrin.

The music was taped. Kenneth Frazelle composed for Part 1, “Still.” It was sung by Odetta and played by the Lark String Quartet and percussionist Bill Finizio. Vernon Reid wrote the music for Part 2, “Here.”

For many, of course, the topic of AIDS or breast cancer makes any negative criticism of the piece appear hostile, impertinent and coldhearted--all of which would seem to reinforce Croce’s view that the work is “beyond . . . criticism.” * The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company will repeat “Still/Here” Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. $15-$30. (714) 854-4646.