Space Commodity

As it turned out, the whole love, devotion and unto-death-do-us-part appeared sincere. So, too, were the dances that expressed Kalev and Jones’ relationship. Suspended high above the stage for one piece, the two created a single design with their intertwined bodies. In addition to romantic embraces, it was clear that strength, synchronicity, trust and support were required to accomplish the acrobatic moves.

I was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain my skepticism, or any critical distance for that matter. I wasn’t the only one, er, moved, by the tender mingling of Kalev’s and Jones’ limbs and lives. Rosenthal, festively dressed in a multicolor caftan, had kicked off the evening with a curtain speech that detailed her distaste for both weddings and marriages, but softened considerably as the program proceeded, exclaiming after one dance, “Damn! Just when you think you’ve developed a healthy cynicism.”

Kalev and Jones leavened the proceedings with plenty of humor, in one section chasing each other around, under and over a table as they poked fun at each other’s peccadilloes. When it came time to exchange vows, the bride and groom drove out onstage in hydraulic lifts, their nervous but game families in tow. Rosenthal then climbed up into one of the lifts to exhort the couple to “Let your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” Rosenthal led Kalev and Jones through the vows, each exchange punctuated by whirring cranes as the couple and the acrophobic Rosenthal performed a comedic duel of elevating lifts. Higher and higher they rose until all that was left was to kiss and leap onto the foam pillows far below as giant balloons cascaded down and the crowd erupted in a roar.

—Sara Wolf