Giordano Dance Company's "the only way around is through" Tells HCV Patient's Stories and Hope

The Giordano Dance Company marked over half a century of work with their 155th world premiere last night at The Harris Theater. Choreographed by company member Joshua Blake Carter with concept and structure by Nan Giordano, “the only way around is through” stood out from the other pieces performed at the spring engagement.

Giordano Dance Chicago performs the world premiere of "the only way around is through", choreographed by Joshua Blake Carter, concept and structure by Nan Giordano. Photo by Gorman Cook Photography. “the only way around is through” tells the stories of people living with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and is part of a worldwide awareness initiative including over 100 artists from 35 countries. GDC should be proud of their contribution. Executive Director Michael McStraw talked to the audience before the piece and explained how the dancers and choreographers met with patients who have HCV to hear their stories and learn firsthand about the burden and stigma surrounding the disease. “What resonated most was the hope each one had,” McStraw said. They were honored the patients entrusted them with their stories. “As much as we saw dance enriches lives, these stories enriched the dances,” he said.

Giordano Dance Chicago performs the world premiere of "the only way around is through", choreographed by Joshua Blake Carter, concept and structure by Nan Giordano. Photo by Gorman Cook Photography. The journey is well translated into dance. The stigma, burden, and hope are clear, heavy but beautiful, and completed with grace and control. It opens with the dancers crouched low to the ground, rocking with repetitive movements, every now and then stretching up trying to stand only to snap back down. Some drag each other down. The next captures the isolation and loneliness, being the only one in the crowd, feeling like you’re frantically running around in all directions while everyone else is going forward. Finally dancers show a unified front dancing together then unzipping the charcoal gray costumes showing different swatches of bright colors, revealing their true colors. One dancer is last to join them, giving a sense of community and acceptance. They are not alone. Even though they have this disease, they are not the disease. They are still individuals.

Giordano Dance Chicago performs the world premiere of "the only way around is through", choreographed by Joshua Blake Carter, concept and structure by Nan Giordano. Photo by Gorman Cook Photography. “the only way around is through” felt fresh and cohesive. The performance was honest and genuine. As an audience member you really felt the emotional evolution and were imbued with a feeling of hope. The spring engagement continues tonight and tomorrow. For more information about performances, visit giordanodance.org or harristheaterchicago.org