By Claude Peck It took a Polish-born choreographer to make me love Elvis Presley. Minnesota Dance Theatre commissioned dancer Mariusz Olszewksi, below, to do a piece for eight dancers in various combos, and set to a handful of Elvis ballads and rockers. It got its world premiere this weekend in Minneapolis at the Lab Theater. Olszewksi, who also designed the wonderful costumes, unearthed the earthy, soulful side of the legendary singer in duets and group dances that oscillated between tender-sweet and horny-hot. Dance fans will recall that Olszewksi danced with jazzer Danny Buraczeski for five years. They may or may not know that Olszewksi has been the featured choreographer on the Polish version of the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance." After seeing his world premiere this weekend, we know he can create dance.
Mariusz Olszewksi/Phorto by Kency Roberson
Raina Gilleland and Kevin Iverson in "Duets...with Love, Elvis!" / Photo by Jeffrey Pedersen
