The evening of October 13th, 2017, remains vividly etched in my memory, not just as another night at the theater, but as an immersive journey into a realm of shadows and storytelling. Settling into my seat at the George Mason University Center for the Arts, an unusual pre-show scene unfolded – the stage was set, curtains open, revealing a whimsical collection of clothing, picture frames, and hula-hoops suspended from the ceiling. This eclectic display ignited anticipation, a playful hint of the imaginative world we were about to enter with Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s Shadowland. Having eagerly awaited this performance for years, my excitement peaked as the lights dimmed, signaling the start of what would be an unforgettable experience.
My initial encounter with Pilobolus was through a brief television clip around 2011 or 2012. Even that short glimpse was revelatory. I had never witnessed anything like it – dance transcending the conventional stage, performed entirely behind a screen, where bodies became instruments of illusion, crafting shapes and perspectives that breathed life into mythical characters. The dancers of Pilobolus Dance Theatre possess an extraordinary ability to contort and combine their bodies, creating silhouettes that are not just captivating but also deeply expressive, even when viewed as shadows. This innovative approach immediately set Pilobolus apart in my mind.
Pilobolus Dance Theatre has consistently redefined the boundaries of dance, challenging conventional notions of what dance can be. Their unique collaborative choreographic process is central to their innovative spirit. By fostering a creative environment where dancers and directors work together, Pilobolus generates ideas that extend far beyond the scope of a single choreographer’s vision. Shadowland is a testament to this collaborative ethos, conceived through the combined creativity of Pilobolus’ dancers and directors, Steven Banks, the Emmy-winning lead writer for SpongeBob SquarePants, who brought his narrative expertise, and David Poe, a celebrated musician, producer, and film composer, who crafted the show’s original score. This blend of talents from diverse artistic backgrounds is a hallmark of Pilobolus’ groundbreaking approach.
The narrative of Shadowland, while seemingly simple, unfolds into a dreamlike allegory. It centers on a young girl yearning for the excitement of city life who, in a surreal twist, is transformed into a dog-humanoid by a giant hand descending from the sky. This fantastical transformation plunges her into a series of adventures in a dreamscape born from slumbering on a bed of men – a literal and metaphorical entry into the land of shadows. The story follows her journey through adversity and deception, all within the captivating realm of her subconscious.
One of the most memorable scenes early in Shadowland involves the girl’s encounter with a large, legged cauldron. Accompanied by comical, cartoonish French chef music, a trio of zany chefs emerges, comically preparing a stew. Their bizarre culinary process includes tossing in absurd ingredients like a shoe, a telephone, and even a kitchen sink. In a humorous escalation, they decide the final ingredient should be the girl herself, leading to a playful, Scooby Doo-esque chase through seemingly endless hallways. This scene perfectly encapsulates the whimsical and imaginative spirit of Shadowland.
Later in her dream journey, the dog-faced protagonist is captured by a circus. This segment, while visually striking, felt tonally dissonant with the otherwise light and whimsical nature of Shadowland. The circus scenes, inherently tinged with a darker, more perverse undertone, felt somewhat out of sync with the overall narrative, which had been predominantly silly and dreamlike up to that point.
In stark contrast, the underwater scene was a highlight of visual and kinetic artistry. Here, the girl encounters hand-shadow crabs, a colossal seahorse, and is even enveloped by a giant, squid-like creature. The dancers’ movements, deliberately slow and fluid, combined with evocative lighting and stage effects, convincingly transformed the stage into an underwater world. This scene showcased Pilobolus’ mastery of creating immersive environments through shadow and movement.
A defining characteristic of Pilobolus Dance Theatre is their unwavering commitment to ensemble performance. No single dancer dominates; instead, the collective artistry takes center stage. A poignant example is the scene where the main character drifts off to sleep and enters her dream. The male dancers lift and manipulate her body with such grace and fluidity, creating the illusion that she is as light as a feather, floating through invisible clouds. The execution is so seamless that the dancers become almost imperceptible, and the audience is left with the breathtaking image of a cartoon-like figure suspended in air, spiraling into a dream world.
The sheer aesthetic beauty of Shadowland is undeniable. The performers execute incredibly demanding physical feats that border on acrobatics. Yet, unlike a Cirque du Soleil performance, the focus is not on spectacle or individual virtuosity. There are no calls for gasps or cheers for daring stunts. Instead, Pilobolus offers a different kind of spectacle – one of soothing, effortless, and profoundly beautiful movement. It’s a performance that evokes emotion and wonder through artistic expression rather than adrenaline-pumping thrills.
Even after touring Shadowland globally for nearly a decade, Pilobolus Dance Theatre demonstrates a remarkable ability to connect with each audience, keeping the performance fresh and engaging. During the encore of the Fairfax performance, they incorporated local references to the Silver Diner and George Mason University, creating a personalized experience for the audience. This gesture not only fostered a sense of connection but also hinted at the ongoing evolution of Shadowland, suggesting that there are always new chapters to be added to this enchanting story. This adaptability and attention to their audience solidified the feeling that Pilobolus Dance Theatre is not just performing for you, but with you. Shadowland is a show that invites repeated viewings, each time promising a renewed sense of wonder and imaginative escape.
