Directed by Christopher Herrmann United States, 2003, 35mm, 80 min. Florida Premiere

Martha Graham wasn't just the mother of modern dance, she was a force of nature. And in this deliriously genius new mockudrama, a 6-foot 4-inch tall drag queen named Richard Move has resurrected that force and channeled it into a hurricane. With eyes flickering fury from a Kabuki-white face and a mouth that stretches every syllable into royal proclamation, Martha cows the world into submission. Never mind that her company is broke; Martha must bring her final dance to the stage! She's chosen to choregraph Phaedra, a Greek myth as sexually twisted and primal as her own psyche. We watch the troubled rehearsals through the eyes of Barbara, a documentary filmmaker (the comically rattled Ann Magnuson) who also delves into Martha's memory, poring over electrifying "footage" of early Graham performances, probing the secrets of a tempestuous affair with a much-younger dancer. Phaedra itself, as choreographed by Move and performed by a hot crew of actual Graham students, is an otherworldly spot-on homage, complete with colorful abstract "Noguchi" sets and alluring costumes by "Halston" (Martha's lecherous dictum for costume design: dress the women, undress the men). Groveling at Martha's feet along the way are some real-life cameo celebs (Isaac Mizrahi, Deborah Harry, and Mark Morris) and some back-from-the-grave stars - Liza, Andy, and Helen Keller (yes, Helen dances). When the curtain goes down on this diva, you'll pick your jaw up from the floor and cry: "Martha Forever!"

Total running time: 80 min.
$12 non-members / $10 members

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