The only thing that could get me out of my house on the night I knew that the Yankees were going to bring home the World series was the opportunity to experience Jennifer Muller’s incredible work “Bench” again!  I first got to see this dance in June, at the Joyce Theatre’s gala benefit for her dance company, the Works.  I have never been more moved by any performance and it alternatively brings me to tears and gives me goosebumps every time.  Inspired by Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and set to the stunningly emotive music of Jocelyn Pook, Bench utilizes the seven deadly sins to trace the ecological destruction of the earth caused by man’s negative behavior patterns.  In Jennifer’s own words, “Bench asks for a transformation of disregard into responsibility, apathy into action and conflict into redemption.” Ripe with emotion and a very vital message, it never fails to amaze and inspire me!  It is a performance that, if you ever have the opportunity to see it, will remain a lifelong favorite.  Click on the video for clips from this amazing work of dancing art!

Jennifer Mueller/The Works – “Bench”