Dance: Twyla Tharp at the Joyce

Dancer/Choreographer Twyla Tharp turned 82 last July. And while some may call her old, the more appropriate term is timeless. Over several decades, she has choreographed more than 169 works including Hollywood movies and Broadway shows. And if her recent show at the Joyce is any indication, she shows no signs of running out of steam or ideas.

Her long-time dancer John Selya, aging gracefully at 52, isn’t going gently into that good night either. He stars in “The Ballet Master,” Tharp’s latest piece, as a grizzled, disheveled choreographer in the throes of bringing a work to life and putting his dancers through their paces. Selya can’t resist getting a bit into the action himself, leaping into the air and partnering ABT principal Cynthia Trenary as if he were 20 years younger.

Former NYCB principal Daniel Uhlricht (no youngster at age 41) was magnificent in his solo performance of Tharp’s “Brel.” Dressed in all black, and dancing to two of my favorite Jacques Brel tunes (“Ne Me Quitte Pas” and “Mariekke”), he demonstrates how important it is to act well as dance perfectly. For the finale to the piece Dan breaks into a couple of coupé jetés, making them look as effortless as walking.

The only less than stellar piece was Tharpe’s “Ocean’s Motion” (1975) which offered a compilation of 1950s and ’60s Chuck Berry tunes. Conceived 50 years ago, it felt even older.

The troupe’s costumes were by Santo Loquasto, another famous name from days gone by. Between Selya, Ulbricht and Santo, it’s obvious Twyla knows that oldies can still be goodies. See for yourself. At the Joyce, through February 25.

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