COMMUNITY & CULTURE
MAD FOR MADCO
By VICKI BENNINGTON
“Liquid Roads,” Modern American Dance
Company’s touring production, is full of
nostalgia inspired by the lives and music of the
Mississippi River and the people who travelled
along it, yet has a decidedly modern twist.
Created and choreographed by Gina Patterson
especially for MADCO, with music direction by
Brian Casserly, “Liquid Roads” gives a nod to
St. Louis’ past as it relates to steamboat and rail
travel, including the music – and the costuming.
“The costumes are ‘vintage-inspired’ by clothes
from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, designed by
New York designer Christine Darch, yet there’s
a modern-day feel,” said Stacy West, MADCO’s
executive and artistic director.
In all, there are more than 100 costumes for
the show, with each of the 12 dancers having
eight to nine costume changes. The four
musicians have first and second act “looks.”
Janet Maevers, owner of St. Louis’ Retro 101/
Cherry Bomb Vintage shop, helped with the
styling of the show to achieve the continuity
of the vintage look within a contemporary
dance production.
“It’s not a period piece. It’s a contemporary
sh