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AntiGravity

At the Hammerstein Ballroom tonight to see AntiGravity, New York City’s only aerial performance dance and acrobatic company, created by Christopher Harrison in 1990. This was to be the troupe’s hometown stop of their national tour: a variety show of gymnasts, modern dancers, circus acrobats and stunt artists, set to a blaring, pounding soundtrack of techno, dance and Top 40.

The show was billed as “New York’s answer to Cirque de Soleil,” – which in its best moments, might be apt. Not all of the sets were as successful, though: the Argentine “Lombard Twins” were far more entertaining when they forewent the awkward, flirty audience banter to show off their synchronized pop-and-lock dance moves. Several segments felt too gimmicky: the “TechnoRiders on Cruise Control” set piece, featuring performers on Segways and roller-skates, felt wildly chaotic (not in a good way); others, like the “X-dream” trampoline wall and the AntiGravity boots set, made better and more whimsical use of the stage props. Most impressive, from a sheer physical standpoint, were the Acroduet “Strength Bruts” (reminiscent of the Aussie English gents from last year’s “Absinthe” show at the Seaport) and of course, AntiGravity’s signature aerial acrobatic stunts: dangling and twirling in hammocks, harnesses, bungee cords, and neon-lit hoops.

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