Marc Miller takes a look at Dance Nation:
The theatrical tradition of grownups playing kids, and bringing fresh nuance to adolescent angst, is long and honorable: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, of course, and then there's that "Penny Candy" number in New Faces of 1952. But the practice seldom gets as vigorous a workout as it does in Dance Nation, Clare Barron's glimpse into early-teen sexuality, rivalry, insecurity, and pressure from above, specifically parents and teachers, at Playwrights Horizons. Barron's comedy-drama, but mostly comedy, has moments of fine clarity and humor and adds up to an eloquent plea on present-day teens' behalf: Please, please, don't ride us so hard. To get to those, though, you have to trudge through some uncomfortable and baffling passages. . . . |
