Choreographer Ana Cuellar, a former featured performer for Cirque du Soleil, is back at Orlando Fringe with a concert of classically colored contemporary dance certain to delight devotees of dance and newcomers alike. Evocative original music by Alex Clements, featuring Cirque-style vocalizations by Emily Clements & Mariana Sobol, sets the stage for an exciting opening number introducing the ensemble’s five members, followed by a tightly packaged program of solos, duets and trios.
Daniel Benavides, the company’s lone male member, projects both strength and vulnerability as he partners with each of the powerful women; he makes an especially striking pairing with the statuesque Ellexis Hatch, who wears an eye-catching spangled bodysuit by Cuellar and designer JJ Gonzalez Acosta. Elaine Patricia Cooksley shines early on in a solo segment that is gratifyingly grounded, and Dion Leonhard DiDonna and Kathryn Tosh make powerful impressions with the precision of their en pointe positions. A muscular duet between DiDonna and Cooksley is another particular highlight, but the entire ensemble exhibits excellent timing and coordination compared to the average Fringe dance show, and Cuellar’s choreography flows propulsive movement without feeling compelled to fill the stage at all times.
While I appreciate multidisciplinary productions, it’s refreshing to see a pure dance concert with no narrative to interrupt the movement. My only gripe is that, at barely 35 minutes long, EnMi leaves you aching for a few more pieces. With that expansion, it could easily rank among Fringe’s finest dance offerings ever.
EnMi
Yellow Venue, Lowndes Shakespeare Center
35 minutes; all ages
$15
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This article appears in May 14-20, 2025.