From Poland, With Exuberant Holiday Cheer

Poland's 59-year-old Mazowsze theatrical folk-dance troupe proved Thursday that its formula of synchronized skirt-twirling and boot-slapping combined with acrobatics is a festive tradition that can stand the test of time.

Artistic Director Janusz Chojecki brought the company -- 90 musicians and dancers -- and 1,000 costumes to the Music Center at Strathmore for a packed and fast-paced holiday-themed program that included Polish Christmas songs. Each of the 22 numbers opened like a gift, bringing gasps of delight as performers entered "wrapped" in spectacular costumes. Sassy red boots peeked out from under frothy petticoats, and feathers topped rakishly set caps. The polonaise was stately, the mazurkas lively and the Polish national dance (kujawiak) appropriately sentimental. Vocally, the choral numbers with the full complement of singers were the strongest.

While the ensemble work was crisp, many of the dancers (particularly the men) appeared untrained in classical ballet technique, a tradition in many of the world's best theatrical folk-dance troupes. And while the medley of American songs was popular with the audience, it was decidedly strange to hear "Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah/Strumming on the old banjo" sung with a thick Polish accent.

The performance raised the question of whether the era of these professional folkloric troupes is passing. Mazowsze founders Mira Zaminska-Sygietynska and her husband, Tadeusz Sygietnski, are both deceased, as is legendary Russian folk-dance choreographer Igor Moiseyev who died last month. Yet the surviving troupes are strong -- among them Moiseyev Dance Company, which performs at Strathmore Jan. 10-11. Mazowsze shows that holiday time is the perfect season to enjoy this festive tradition.

-- Pamela Squires