Dancers focus on the fetish of love

The obsession of love will keep audiences forever intertwined in Rowan’s new dance performance “Fetiche,” premiering at Tohill Theatre in Bunce Hall from April 29 to May 2. Theatre and dance professor Paule Turner and Dance Extensions, Rowan’s contemporary dance company, bring the show to life through body movement while telling a story of young love.

With 23 contributing dancers, the cast strives to portray the fetish of love that traps one with peril and aspiration.

“The theme of this performance is love and its ups and downs,” said lead role dancer and senior dance major Brianne Crines. “A love triangle is the main plot.”

“Fetiche” not only represents love, but also plays with gender roles and questions identity, according to dance performer Brittany Mauro, a sophomore English and secondary education major.

“We want to change people’s opinions about what they think of a recital,” Mauro said. “It’s so much different because it’s a story.”

After a reworking of their previous show, “Towers,” was canceled in the fall because of construction to improve the theater lighting system, director and choreographer Paule Turner and the Dance Extensions executive board wanted to create a knockout performance.

Turner became enthused by Dr. Robert J. Stoller’s famous quote, “A fetish is a story masquerading as an object,” which sparked the idea for the storyline and title.

Dance types in the performance, including modern dance, romantic ballet, hip hop and jazz all provide a twist in the recital.

Created by designer Heidi Barr, the costuming is eccentric and adds to the visual and emotional aspects of the show, and was inspired by late famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen. According to Mauro and Crines, the costuming is crazy, sexy, flirty and stylish.

Another element of “Fetiche” is its sensual, stirring, abnormal music. One of the songs, “The Flower Duet” from Delibes’ opera “Lakme” near the end of the act is “ironic,” according to Mauro.

The performance leaves it up to the audience to discover on their own the truth to the mystery of a deceptive topic.

Tickets are available now for $5 at the box office or online at rowan.tix.com. Proceeds will support the organization’s outreach and scholarship programs.