Marla Bingham Troupe Shines but Choreography Dulls

The whole is sometimes less than the sum of its parts. Such was the case Sunday when Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet presented Season 2000, a five-part program at Thousand Oaks’ Scherr Forum. Bingham, a former Alvin Ailey Dancer, delivers a gorgeous performance, infused with strength and elegance, and her well-rehearsed troupe certainly shines (especially the women), but her choreography begins to blur from lack of invention.

“Something Different,” a premiere billed as a work-in-progress, was a fun, frothy piece set to the music of Edouard Lalo. Featuring a “pass the chiffon scarf” motif, the six dancers--Noune Diarbekirian, Kristin Douglas, Nicole Harlan (all on pointe), Pamela Pilkenton (in dance pumps), Gregg Engle and Denny Newell--vied for possession of this prop. Moving in various modes, from tango-like slitherings to classical leaping, the group displayed nice unisons, and Engle partnered ably. Its ultimate choreographic worth, though, remains to be seen.

Also heavy on frolic: “Hoedown” (1996), set to Bobby McFerrin music. A pigtailed Douglas and an overall-clad Newell played loose-limbed in this hokey courtship duet that nevertheless charmed with high kicks, cute lifts and Douglas’ perky pointe work.

More serious, but still lacking emotional fervor was “Adagio Appassionato,” dedicated to Bingham’s late brother. Diarbekirian, Harlan and Lisa Gillespie portrayed sister, mother and wife, respectively, in this somber work set to Bruch’s Violin Concerto. The trio often joined hands in despair, their heads tilting in sorrow, but Bingham’s footwork failed to go beyond basic leaps and turns.

“Vision,” a six-part 1996 new age-y opus, also proved insubstantial, with company members wielding Mylar hoops to little avail, women emerging from mesh chrysalides, and a radiant Bingham portraying Mother Earth. Kristopher Jones comported himself with ease in the “Grace” section, and the circle finale, “Infinity,” brought the optimistic message home, but this “Vision” needs focus.

The previously reviewed “Sanctuary” completed the program.

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* Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Resumes Thursday, 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. $18-$30. (805) 449-ARTS.