The Keigwin High
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The glow at the Viceroy on Monday night seemed to affect everyone, but perhaps no one moreso than Larry Keigwin, the dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of the troupe Keigwin & Company.
Arriving after his company’s performance, the first in a four-night engagement at the Joyce Theater featuring the New York City premiere of “Elements,” Mr. Keigwin said, “I’m filled with joy and love, really, I’m ecstatic.”
It was a joyful moment in a young career already studded with dance highs. Mr. Keigwin began his career as a backup dancer for Downtown Julie Brown on Club MTV, and danced at bar and bat mitzvahs while earning a degree in dance at Hofstra University. He has danced at the Metropolitan Opera and, as part of his Keigwin Kabaret, at Joe’s Pub and Symphony Space. He has also choreographed commissions for the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and the Juilliard Dance Ensemble.
On Monday night, Mr. Keigwin arrived at the party in his honor with his dancers in tow, accepting bouquets of flowers and congratulations from a very pleased group of supporters.
“We’re all blown away; it was simply marvelous,” a patron of the company, Jay Johnson, said.
“All their energy goes right into you,” an interior designer, Andrew Lee, said.
“It was happy and dynamic,” Leigh Rappaport, who attended through a connection to the company’s executive director, Jackie Royce, said.
“We’re still smiling,” a supporter, Linda Stocknoff, said.
Ms. Royce was glowing not only because of the rave receptions, but also because she is due to have a baby in three weeks.
A retired attorney, Barbara Richards, and an English professor at the University of California Berkeley, Stephen Best, were observed comparing notes on the performance; both were initiates to the company.
“It was witty, but sort of technical, physical at the same time,” Mr. Best said.
“They were perfect, even though it was about fun,” Ms. Richards added.
The company is known for combining technique with entertainment.
A dancer with the company, Ashley Browne, gave some insight into the way Mr. Keigwin produces these results.
“Larry wants technique, but he’s not looking for a unified look,” Ms. Browne said. “He’s looking for individuality.”
Ms. Browne said that company members develop characters in the pieces that play off their own personalities. “Mine is young and spunky,” she said.
The company and its supporters were glad to be enjoying the company in its hometown, an engagement tucked into a packed touring schedule that has already included others in Lewiston, Maine, Durham, N.C., Green Mountain Falls, Colo., and Miami, and will wind down in a few weeks at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Mass.
agordon@nysun.com