Joe Goode Performance Group

As the curtain in Kenan Auditorium rose, the Joe Goode performance group took the stage as a part of UNCW Presents: Arts in Action Performance Series. The performance -- a mix of musical theatre, modern dance and humor - was both Goode and bad.

"Stay Together" tells the story of neighbors who struggle to remained committed in relationships, and it asks the essential questions of love.

"As for partnership, how do we find a harbor in that tender soul in front of us when staying means ignoring all of those other compelling options?" asks the show's program.

This message is easily lost in translation, specifically through dialogue, dance and two on-stage cameras that provide more distraction than information. The show, while ambitious, is frankly too busy. It's artistic and infused with more symbolism than the "Scarlet Letter," but it teeters on confusing.

The dancers, who double as actors, were spectacular. The choreography captured the essence of unity. Collectively, six dancers functioned as one body of movement. Their grace and fluidity was captivating. The choreography was strong and intimate but grounded--things that mimicked the drama on stage.

"Joe Goode is a choreographer, writer and director whose first concern as an artist is to provide a 'deeply felt, profoundly human experience' in the theater," according to the show's program.

Deeply felt it was. The problem was its depth. The actions, while beautiful and truly one-of-a-kind, convoluted and slowed the progress of plot.

"Goode is known as an innovator in the field of dance for his willingness to collide movement with spoken word, song and visual imagery," according to the show's program.

The spectacular dancing, visually-appealing camera work and humorous dialogue fit, but the combination created a lethal dose of overload.

But sensory overload might have been the point. Life today is full of distraction, multi-tasking and energy drinks. Art does imitate life.