Heaven

Heaven, for Minneapolis choreographer Morgan Thorson, is a place that imperfect people labor to reach. And the nine performers who slog around the perimeter of the stage have a way to go. Their slight untidiness, the askew clothes, the slack or too-tense bodies hint at inner grime that no hopefully donned white garments can completely conceal. White cushions are provided for the performers to kneel on when they need to get in touch with holiness. Accompanying them are Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk of slowcore group Low, and the dancers also sing. Their vocal work is one of the best things about Heaven. One performer chants “You’re always inside your body; I’ll be by your side,” building to an ecstatic pitch. At the end, all nine stand together, facing us, and sing in gorgeous harmony the spiritual that begins, “I know that when this earthly house is decayed, I have another building, not made by man.” Then the lights turn on us, and they go. DEBORAH JOWITT

April 1-3, 8 p.m., 2010