Mark no longer dualing, but 'Dido' still has it: The Globe Review

Thea Singer reviewed the Mark Morris Dance Group in "Dido and Aeneas" for today's Boston Globe. Thea was around and reviewing for the first go-round of "Dido" with Mark in the dual-lead roles of Dido, Queen of Carthage and the Sorceress, so her take on Morris' switch from stage to orchestra pit is doubly informed. But first, a little extra historical perspective . . .

Reviewing the U.S. premiere of "Dido" in 1989 (in this same Majestic theatre, no less), Christine Temin wrote:

"Morris dominates the production, and his great original contribution to it is the dual role -- similar to that of the ballerina in "Swan Lake," who plays both the Swan Queen and her evil opposite. The force of his presence astonishes: His Dido achieves real grandeur in death, arms stretching wide enough to embrace the world."

Morris stopped dancing the dual roles in 2000 and for this engagement conducts the orchestra and singers, not a surprising turn of events given Morris' deep relationship to music, but very unusual for a choreographer. Here is a bit of Thea Singer on "Dido and Aeneas" now:

"No one, I thought, could take the place of Morris - big-boned and master of the shimmy, curly locks flying - in the dual role. But Wednesday night's performance, presented by Celebrity Series of Boston at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, proved that maybe no one has to."

There is more, of course: Reimagining 'Dido and Aeneas'

And when you're finished, here is the link to buy tickets, there are still a few left...