Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) Artistic Director Kevin Irving chose Closer as the title of the company’s current run of performances for two reasons: It’s the last of their 2017-18 season, and it represents how near audiences are to the dancers on the stage. The humble confines of BodyVox Dance Center allows attendees to hear every squeak of a Capezio slipper across the floor, and every muttered bit of stage direction coming from the sound booth.
The chosen locale also functions as a smart way to mitigate expectations for the four choreographers who, with Closer, are presenting never-before-seen work. Filling all the seats in their usual home of the Keller Auditorium would have been a challenge. Shrinking their stage canvas allowed OBT to take chances, which stumbled and succeeded with equal measure.