Yesterday I went with my family to watch Tashena dance in CDT's production of Gwinna at Capitol Theatre. The production, based on the children's book of the same name by Barbara Helen Berger, tells the story of a little girl who has wings but doesn't know that she can fly. A woodworker and his wife want a child desperately and ask the Mother of the Owls to help them. She promises them a child but they must let her go when she turns twelve. The couple agrees but when their child, Gwinna, develops wings, they bind them up so she can't leave them. Gwinna hears a melody that only she can hear and it frightens her parents. When Mother Owl calls her home her parents try to stop her but they are turned to stone. When Mother Owl learns that Gwinna can hear the music, she sends her in search of it. With the help of a griffin Gwinna finds Druantia, the guardian of the trees, who tells her that her song has been forgotten and that she must bring it back to the world. Gwinna builds a harp and the wind teaches her how to play it. She flies back to her parents and brings them back to life by playing her harp. I really liked the story, the choreography, and the music. The costumes were really beautiful, especially all of the owls and their wings.
Tashena's dance (which was at the end!) was called "Wind in the Harp" and I thought it was very elegant and graceful. My favorite part of the choreography was when Tashena had a very dramatic leap to mimic the wind. I always love watching Tashena on stage because she expresses everything she feels through dance.
Tashena did such a good job and we are so proud of her!
Gwinna will be performed once again at the Sandy Amphitheater on June 21 (a free concert) and at the Utah Arts Festival on June 25. Come see my beautiful and talented niece perform.
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