Carols in Color tells the story of the birth of Christ in gospel song, charged-up carols, and soaring, spinning, energetic dance. After its fourth annual performances Monday and Tuesday at the Mandell Theater, Carols in Color has become a fine Christmas tradition.
In this version of the story, there are many surprises and innovations: The angel Gabriel flies across the stage in quadruple propeller spins; five women singing a cappella accompany Mary and Joseph as they wander around Bethlehem looking for a manger; and the Three Wise Men come from the east in three groups and singing a three-part harmony.
In contrast to a spectacle like The Nutcracker, which audiences tend to watch passively, Carols requires more give-and-take: We clap a short call-and-response during ``Go Tell It On the Mountain,'' and in the ``Hallelujah'' chorus it's nearly impossible to resist tapping your feet. These differences remind us that Carols in Color is, first and foremost, a Christmas celebration rooted in African American community and African American church tradition.
Carols in Colors was first performed by Leja Dance Theater, founded by Jaye Allison and Leon Evans. After Leja was dissolved last year, Evans founded a new company, Eleone, and recruited talented local singers in order to bring Carols back again.
On opening night, there were some tentative moments, especially at the start - microphone problems plagued the evening, there were no programs, and the momentum and dancing in the first half were sluggish. But after intermission, this 75-minute show really soared. The choreography in the ``Hallelujah'' chorus, with its ravishing circle patterns and strong diagonal runs, was in the best muscular Lester Horton style. The dancers' expansive and powerfully executed chest and arm moves during ``O Come All Ye Faithful'' were rousing. ``Star of Wonder'' was sung in a touching arrangement, concluding in a delicately echoing round. And ``Joy to the World'' had real boogie and bounce.
On the whole, Eleone's Carols in Colors is a fine revival, combining the deep spirituality of the African American Christian tradition with accessible entertainment.
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