PRIVATE I'S
"...thus begins a whole dance of hand gestures made of all the high-fives, friendly slaps and smacks ever put together on one stage. Ruttenberg knows her way around the subtleties of the world of male codes, and from it she draws choreographic gems with humor, grace and sharp stage instincts.
Parallel to the competition and connection between the men, there is a hidden competition between the dancers and musicians, on the audience's attention. At times, these win, and at others, these, and in retrospect – the real winner is the audience."
(Ora Brefman, Dance Talk)
"Private I's by Dana Ruttenberg operates on the double meaning of its title. What the eyes sees is not necessarily what is before it. Therefore this male duet has other fecades, where the homo-eroticism derives merely from the positioning of two, similar-different, side by side, in movement that shifts between teasing plays on high-fives and eroticism. Ofir Yudilevitch and Uri Shafir, with the music of Noam Inbar and Adam Scheflan rise to this challenge well."
(Zvi Goren, Habama)
NABA
"NABA showcased colorful dance and great ability of the four dancers. Actor-dancer Idan Porges reaches climactic madness…Dana Ruttenberg's NABA stirs a variety of emotions, from laughter to discomfort, as viewers experience an intense emotional experience that leaves one wanting more."
"innovative choreography…NABA stood out and made me reconsider performance norms anew. It's not often I see such adventurous work…bold challenges to traditional concert structure."
NIGHT SWIM
"Ruttenberg's work "Night Swim", offers a peek into the grotesque and violent side of Israel. Sharp movements, seemingly traditional rituals like folk dancing, that turn into ceremonial almost demonic dance, create a steamy and stifling "togetherness" that hides within it loneliness and sense of oblivion. Ruttenberg's work dissects Israeli myths"
(Merav Yudilevitch, YNET)
"Night Swim" by Dana Ruttenberg … A detailed, well-processed dance work, in sweeping motion, with aspects of violence, helplessness, humor and togetherness. These were a clear moral expression of a personal and social state, where the victim, movingly portrayed by Igal Furman, finds himself facing four women, attractive-repulsive, pushing-pulling, rapists and victims"
(Zvi Goren, HABAMA)
KONTRAPUNKT
"Their playing expresses the moods of a relationship. There is something refreshing in seeing dancers that are simultaneously musicians. They sometimes play with their feet and the whole body is thrown onto the keyboard..."
(Ruth Eshel, Ha'aretz)
CHANGE NORMAL CHANGE
"other highpoints included an hysterically funny piece titled 'Change Normal Change'by NY's Red Hill Project where choreographer Dana Ruttenberg had her four dancers in bizarre cocktail dresses all dressed up and no man in sight. It was the ultimate of female angst"
(Paula Citron, CLASSICAL 96.3FM).
more...
interview with Dana Ruttenberg on midnighteast