★★★★

Invoking carefree childhood closeness and reminding us that joy can be found through interdependence, ‘How Lucky Are We’ is a dynamic dance piece that reminds us of the joy in letting ourselves be seen. 

I walk into the JCC gym to the sound of Chappell Roan and see benches, mats and pairs of chairs placed in the round. The gym is complete with fluorescent lights and squeaky floors, bringing me back to middle school dances, a feeling choreographer Steph Harkness has evoked on purpose. I am already thinking back to childhood times, a perfect precursor to the themes that are about to be explored in ‘How Lucky Are We’. I take my seat in one of the few folding chairs with backs, knowing the mats and backless benches won’t meet my access needs. For this reason I’m relieved when the pre-show announcement says the show will be 22 minutes. 

The lights can’t go down on this stage as the only lighting is the fluorescents that ring the upper balcony of the room. I feel exposed at first - The audience can see me as well as the performers as they begin to slowly enter the space. Dancer Rakeem Hardy enters and makes eye contact as they pass me, pulling me into the world of the show gently, as if to remind me I can also be seen.  Lola Jenkins is close behind, mirroring Hardy’s movements exactly before breaking off into their own solo. Kaelin Isserlin is the last to enter, bringing a standout theatricality and energy to the ensemble. The three dancers seamlessly weave in and out of each other's orbits; meeting and separating, before moving in unison again. The choreography flows from athletic and staccato, to slow and still. Renditions of childlike handshakes are woven into the movement  bringing me back to my child self, when being seen felt easier, more organic. 

The sound design plays a vital role in what I’m feeling throughout the show, designed expertly by Brigita Gedgaudas. At first the echo-y acoustics of the space make the sound tinny and over stimulating, but by the end it adds an expansive quality that matches the world of the dancers. The music helps to create structure and rising action when it otherwise may have been lacking. 

The piece provides the feeling of a journey with a beginning, middle and end, leaving me in a noticeably lighter mood after only 22 minutes. I look around and notice the same effect on the faces of the audience. Under the fluorescent lights we all allowed ourselves to be seen and to see each other. 

 ‘How Lucky Are We’ runs at the Miles Nadal JCC until Saturday July 13th and how lucky you will be to catch this beautiful piece of dance while you still can.