Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Spring Finale ‘LubDub’ Review

The final performance of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s season, running through Sunday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, features the world premiere of LubDub. This work is choreographed by Aszure Barton and represents her final creation as part of a three-year residency with the company. Although this may feel like the end of an inspiring collaboration, the hope remains that Barton will continue her association with Hubbard Street.

LubDub serves as the highlight of the second half of the show. Lasting nearly 30 minutes, it offers a compelling journey through the body, drawing inspiration from the rhythmic sound of a beating heart. This sound is associated with the opening and closing of heart valves, essential for maintaining blood flow.

The choreography transforms the 14 dancers into symbols of red blood cells on a path through the circulatory system. Their movements range from trembling to dynamic bursts, navigating intricate pathways around the stage. The performance could also symbolize the way music travels through the body, aligning with the musical compositions by Jlin, Kara-Lis Coverdale, and Susanne Lundeng.

LubDub is characteristically Barton, reminiscent of her earlier work, Busk, adopted by Hubbard Street in 2021, featuring dim lighting, maroon attire, and an eccentric movement vocabulary.

The evening begins with Bob Fosse pieces performed by Hubbard Street, showcasing their unique partnership with the Verdon Fosse Legacy. This includes Sweet Gwen Suite, performed by Alexandria Best, Dominick Brown, and Aaron Choate, along with the solo Percussion IV, featuring dancer Shota Miyoshi. Miyoshi’s background in jazz dance comes through in this high-energy piece.

Following Fosse is a new commission by Chanel DaSilva titled Atlas. This piece interprets the legend of Atlas, portrayed by a trio of women struggling with the burden symbolized by exercise balls, ultimately revealing them to be light and playful. While Atlas offers some visually striking moments, it struggles to convey a deeper narrative, possibly overshadowed by its placement between more established works.

For those interested in experiencing this vibrant series, tickets are available for $47-$101 through the Harris Theater.