New York Times
Tuesday, February 5, 2001 - Dance in Review
by Jennifer Dunning

"Ecstatic Resolutions Amid Life's Young Journeys"

A young woman turned and walked forward slowly in "Simple Work," the opening dance of a program presented by Shannon Hummel and her company, Cora, on Thursday night.  Such was the dancer's calm authority that one assumed she was the choreographer.  And the simplicity of those opening moments promised much.

The first assumption was wrong.  Each of the eight dancers in Ms. Hummel's all-female company performed with a proprietary commitment that made the pieces glow. But Ms. Hummel is clearly a choreographer of exceptional promise.

The movement was mostly a matter of erupting simple twists, falls and travel in "Simple Work," performed by Donna Costello to music by Arvo Part, and "At Both Ends," a more propulsive, less tender solo danced by the choreographer without musical accompaniment.  Both ended in ecstatic resolution. The solos suggested a young life's journey, an arrival point and intense emotional states.  They were seamless, succinct and perfectly costumed, as were the two dances that followed.  More impressively, "Partner Dances" and "Down A Small Road" blended humor into knock-about play and emotional tumult.

"Partner Dances," set to songs by Darius Milhaud and Arthur Honegger, is a hilarious and poignant dance for three couples who might be the descendants of the lovers battling through the forest in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" or simply sensuous children playing musical chairs.  "Down A Small Road," performed by Ms. Hummel, Ms. Costello and Vanessa Adato to music by Manoiseca, painted the worlds of the opening solos larger, with bolder colors.

The company of fine actor-dancers was completed by Galois Cohen, Carolyn Hall, Tessa Nebrida, Kate Pagliasotti and the cheeky Anna Smith. Severn Clay designed the eloquently spare lighting.