COURTESY FOREVER TANGO Claudio Gonzalez and Valentina Villarroel in Luis Bravo's 'Forever Tango'.

Evocative evolution

The history of the fiery national dance
of Argentina comes alive onstage

---

John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

Luis Bravo, creator-director of "Forever Tango," describes the dance as "telling a (love) story in three minutes."

"There are many, many aspects and many elements that make this a very rich form -- and very difficult to describe," Bravo said in a phone call from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"The fact that it is danced between the man and the woman so close makes it a special dance. ... Everything is subliminal in tango. When we listen to the music of tango, it has many contradictions in form and mood."

COURTESY FOREVER TANGO Luis Bravo, director of "Forever Tango."

Bravo, himself a dance master, created "Forever Tango," playing at Hawaii Theatre, as a vehicle for taking the national dance of Argentina to the world in its purest form while also showing how tango has evolved since it bubbled up out of the Argentine underworld a century or so ago.

The show, featuring showcase dances by individual couples and larger ensemble numbers, all performed to the music of a 11-piece Argentine orchestra, has an established structure, he said.

"Forever Tango" traces the origins of the dance among the "malevos" (street fighters) who used it as a form of nonviolent competition, as well as a way of impressing the women who worked the dance halls and bordellos. Tango Argentina was initially considered crude and vulgar by "proper people" but eventually won over Argentine society and beyond to became one of the most popular dances of the 20th century.

That is the story of "Forever Tango," but, "like an opera, it changes when the performers are different. The choreography is different, the music is different, we have a lot of different songs and new arrangements, and new performers," Bravo said.

"One of my biggest challenges is to find the right people to dance with. It's not just about technique or the ability to do it, it's also the chemistry has to be there, and the humanity between these two human beings has to be in the same direction."

One member of the cast seen here in 2000, Carlos Gavito, is returning. The silver-haired, bearded dancer proved last time that age is nothing but a number with his work in the ensemble pieces as well in as two showcase numbers, and was a favorite with the audience.

AMERICANS SEEM to have become more aware of Argentine tango in the last few years, and Bravo notes that having two "Forever Tango" touring companies on the road for seven years may have had an impact. A movie unrelated to the show, "Tango," also introduced many to tango in its original "roots" form, although, like other forms of living dance, it continues to evolve.

"Forever Tango" includes music from several decades, including examples of contemporary forms that reflect the influence of ballet, jazz and flamenco music.

"As a living art, tango is evolving all the time. You can have as many forms as your fantasies can describe onstage. That's where I'm aiming," Bravo said.

'Forever Tango' Where: Hawaii Theatre When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 29, with additional 2 p.m. performances Dec. 28 and Dec. 29 Tickets: $22.50 to $55 Call: 528-0506

Click for online
calendars and events.