Dante (her view)

Dante at Synetic Theatre in D.C.

So let me start this one off by saying I was drug to this show. I'm not a fan of Dante's the Divine Comedy but the boy is so off we went.  Make sure you mapquest the directions because this theatre is hard to find, especially for the folks from Baltimore. I'm pretty sure we almost died in traffic circles at least 3 times, and they say 2nd exit but it is not marked in any real way. Synetic is currently using the facilities of the Rossyln Spectrum. The theatre itself is large enough to be taken seriously but small enough to still feel intimate. Our seats would have been awesome, Row J center (and there is a small break so LOTS of leg room), but the theatre was filming that night and put the camera dead center of the theatre.  (THEATRE'S: This really annoys patrons, let alone the lack of organization in helping those who were sold seats behind this lady's butt. Do us all a favor and just don't sell those seats)

The set for this show was simplistic but stunning. The show starts off slow but I promise it is not Dante the ballet which is what I thought, they will eventually speak. Visually this show is stunning. The movement, use of music, and costumes all really do create a scene. Past that you really do end up in Dante's hell. The show feels long and if you don't know the story it is really hard to know what is going on at any given time. Please read the program before you go in or you will be utterly lost the whole time. If you can get captivated in the movement of the piece and forget the story you stand a little more chance of enjoying it (Watch for the new use of plastic wrap about half way through). 

Ladies you will enjoy watching the adorable man that plays Dante, he will make you love the art of mime. When he mimes crawling up a wall just watch his muscles, it is just hot. And I feel bad for the poor girl who twice has to come out basically naked. It really does not enhance the show or mood in anyway and it seems like they just added it to be edgy, it didn't work. 

All in all, if you like dance and contemporary movement pieces you will love this show. It really is visually stunning and worth the technical aspects. But the story falls short so if you love Dante you may want to avoid this piece.