Posted on Thursday, Sep. 14, 2006

Choreographer works at genetic level

By Orla Swift

Like an orchestra of mechanical toys, 27 people sit in a circle moving to the sound of a boombox symphony.

Flutes trill as three people bring their fingers to their mouths repeatedly as if licking a thread to put through a needle. Violins join the rollicking score as a few more appear to deal cards. Members of a third group pretend to inspect a scar on a finger. Still others mimic smoking, playing piano, caressing a wedding ring.

This is a dance about mothers and their hands, and anybody can choreograph one.