Two of Helios’ Members Step Out on Their Own

Helios Dance Theater has been cited for creating works of power and whimsy. Two Helios dancer-choreographers--Maria Gillespie and Paula Present--struck out on their own Saturday at Electric Lodge in “Busy Being Born,” an eight-part program that announced a charismatic talent in Gillespie. She’s a mighty performer, and her fluid line, determined attitude and distinct vision proved beguiling.

In two solos, “Hover” (an improvisation to Bridget Convey’s live piano tinklings) and “Wakatta/coming In clear” (to a collage tape track), Gillespie displayed a fierce, supple presence--a firebrand whose richness of movement captivated, even while leisurely walking.

Gillespie’s “Merge,” a duet for company members Diana Mehoudar and Shelley Wilcox, pitted them against each other in a kind of terpsichorean cat fight: A haughty Mehoudar, dancing with crisp classicism accentuated by beautiful extensions to Albinoni’s “Adagio,” contrasted the comedic moves of Wilcox (think a sprightly Jerry Lewis), who assayed stylized pratfalls to the music of Handel.

Another Gillespie duet, “to want to have to hold,” paired her with Present in an energetic mating dance set to jazz music. This opus amplified a lyric fearlessness, as the couple exhibited lifts and balancing feats, with an ultimate sweetness prevailing.

Present’s choreography was less successful: Her “Theme and Exploration,” danced by Jamie Elmer, Chelsea Gilbert and Donna Norris, resembled yoga moves on speed; while “Witness” (the trio and Gillespie), was unfocused, marred by Derrick Maddox’s pretentious taped text tract. Present’s solo improvisation on the mythical birth of a dancer, “Rhythm Nature,” had her squaring off with live percussionist Marcus Joseph in a series of writhing, tribal-like moves.