October 22, 2007
Eduardo Vilaro's "CUGAT!" is a surefire hit, a thrill ride through Latin dance and a high octane tribute to bandleader Xavier Cugat. Unveiled by Vilaro's Luna Negra Dance Theater over the weekend, "CUGAT!" is not only fast and furious, but beautifully, subtly detailed in its echo of the mambo, the rumba, and Latin pop dance in general. Moreover, it offers an unabashed star turn for sizzling hot Ricardo J. Garcia, whose razor-sharp moves and spunky self-assuredness make him an ideal stand-in for musician Cugat.
In a motif that could have been awkward and hokey, but proves inventive instead, Vilaro has Garcia periodically ape a conductor directing an imaginary orchestra. Meanwhile, the crispy details Vilaro employs in the ensemble rush - a sly delay here, a startling ballet extension there - help "CUGAT!" to transcend straightforward serenade. It consistently, richly, feverishly explores the link between ballroom and concert hall, part of a theme of social fun intersecting social relevance.