An immersive dance performance, 'Lunch Dances,' by Monica Bill Barnes and Robbie Saenz de Viteri, transforms the New York Public Library into a stage, evoking unexpected emotions and connections through stories about fictional library patrons and incorporating the library's vast resources and lore.
The majestic Rose Reading Room at the New York Public Library was the setting for an unforgettable experience. Amidst the weekday afternoon bustle, an imposing figure began singing 'people who need people are the luckiest people in the world,' his booming voice echoing off the ornate, gilded ceilings. The entire room, packed with patrons, turned their attention to the performance, yet no one disrupted the moment.
The song, which previously held no significance, triggered an emotional response, a flood of tears. This unexpected reaction was a direct result of Lunch Dances, an extraordinary live performance choreographed by Monica Bill Barnes and written by Robbie Saenz de Viteri. The performance, designed to bring dance where it's least expected, transforms the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building into a place of surprising human connection. Following a successful sold-out run last year, the free, hour-long show has returned for a limited time. The show's title is inspired by Frank O'Hara’s Lunch Poems, a collection written during his lunch breaks at the Museum of Modern Art. Lunch Dances showcases the library's vast research collections and building lore, weaving them into a powerful hour of stories about fictional library patrons. It's a touch of magic amidst the daily grind of Midtown. The performance involves approximately 15 participants who follow Barnes, who plays a library page delivering materials. The participants wear wireless headphones, allowing them to hear the narrator and music. Saenz de Viteri narrates and provides instructions, all while pushing a rolling cart filled with equipment. The performers navigate around real library visitors, including tourists, who initially seem confused, but quickly become intrigued. The show is designed to not impede daily library operations and the library staff ensures that the dancers have appropriate spaces to perform. The performances explore themes of love, joy, sadness, grief, and disappointment, highlighting the underlying sense of longing that can exist within the often isolating act of research. The show explores the idea that the library is a place where people seek answers. \Inside the map room, the audience is introduced to Nell, engrossed in a 1961 map of Greenwich Village. Through her movements, the audience learns of Nell's memories and the streets that still come alive for her. The performance highlights the personal connection and history that can be found in a library. Barnes moves with precision, blending the efficiency of a librarian with a touch of vaudeville, her small steps blossoming into expansive movements. Her company's dancers embody this style, adding to the performance. The poignant narration, combined with seemingly ordinary gestures, transforms into deeply moving moments of theatre. The audience becomes an active component of the show. At one point, the audience moves down a main hallway, their hands raised, drawing curious glances from those passing by. The reactions of passersby also become part of the experience. Some hurried to leave the space while others watched. Many simply ignored the performance, continuing their work. Despite the interruptions, the show provides a unique experience for those involved. \Lunch Dances brings dance and performance into unexpected spaces within the New York Public Library, offering a refreshing perspective on the act of reading and research. It highlights the library not just as a repository of knowledge but as a place of human connection and emotional exploration. The show's success lies in its ability to transform the familiar into the extraordinary, creating a temporary space of magic and shared experience within a busy urban environment. The performance isn't just about dance, it is about creating connection and emotion in a space that many might not expect. The juxtaposition of the performance against the daily routines of the library creates a unique and moving experience for the audience. The show is a testament to the power of art to disrupt, to connect, and to evoke unexpected emotions in the most unlikely of places
Dance Performance New York Public Library Monica Bill Barnes Robbie Saenz De Viteri Immersive Theatre Lunch Poems
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