William Forsythe breaks off lines in unexpected places to create intense, alluring effects. ANGELA STERLING
Not every dance performance is a tale of tutu-clad princesses in distress. Not every piece of contemporary choreography contains a secret message that audiences are supposed to “get.” Yet many people avoid modern and contemporary dance, daunted by an assumption that they’re supposed to discern some sort of hidden meaning and, when they can’t, feeling alienated or bored. They can’t figure out what the hell is happening. They zone out. The mark of a sophisticated choreographer—like the brilliant American choreographer William Forsythe—is the ability to produce compelling dance that doesn’t require a code or deep knowledge to appreciate…