Helios Troupe Celebrates the Vital Power of Woman

In a potent, near-flawless blend of humor and pathos, Helios Dance Theater, directed and choreographed by Laura Gorenstein, once again burst through the boundaries of everyday life to reveal the mysteries that simmer beneath the surface. Nowhere was this more evident than in Thursday evening’s centerpiece at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica: the premiere of “Angels’ Domain,” a four-part work dealing with the heart, soul and stamina of woman.

The music of Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” served as a sublime backdrop to Section 1, an elegant duet between Loni Palladino-Lane and John Diaz, guest male in this all-female troupe. Dominated by a series of push-pull moves, powerful lifts and a haunting motif in which the couple clung to each other, rocking back and forth, their union proved fruitful: The whimperings of a baby dissolved seamlessly into the second movement.

Attired in Tomas Mulrooney-designed Victorian nanny garb--bloomers and long, flounced skirt--Gina Dominguez, riffing with a doll to Suzanne Vega’s acoustic lullaby “Stay Awake,” attempted to keep baby from falling asleep by performing a series of churning, writhing moves. Shades of the recently acquitted Louise Woodward hung ominously in the air, although in this inspired instance, it was Dominguez who was all shook up.

Perpetuating the role of woman as caretaker, Section 3 proved a hilarious foray into nannydom or motherhood: A quartet of dancers--Dominguez, Tasha Craig, Diana Mehoudar and guest artist Maria Gillespie--boogied with baby carriages. Veering from Busby Berkeley turns--with scissor kicks and ruffled skirts a-flying--to forming a conga line and riding on their strollers, these ladies enlivened the adage “Woman’s work is never done.”

Rob Cairns’ be-boppy music punctuated this section, while Chris Miller’s Edward Gorey-type slides served as a clever device during which Mehoudar metamorphosed into the fallen angel of the finale.

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Black-clad and sprouting skeletal wings that resembled reindeer antlers--also by Mulrooney--this heartbreaking solo saw the dancer scrambling unsuccessfully to rise above her plight. What might have been overkill, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for strings, instead underscored a will to persevere. Flapping her hands, arms quivering, Mehoudar infused her expressions with piquancy, her dance with valor.

Rounding out the program were previously reviewed works: “Proudface,” “Sisters” and “Somethings Got to Give,” a saucy duet with Mehoudar and Palladino-Lane. This newly extended version also featured deep tango bends and splayed legs.

Gorenstein’s is a bright, distinguished voice in dance, and Helios, a reflection of her gifts, is ready to leap into a larger spotlight.

* Helios Dance Theater, tonight and Sunday, 8:30 p.m. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. $12-$15. (213) 660-8587.