Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith

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The joint choreography of Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith is distinguished by playfulness and by daring athleticism. While the physical demands they make on their well-chosen dancers--and on themselves--are ingenious, a certain predictability has gradually set in. It's encouraging, therefore, to report that this program found them exploring a change in direction.

Earlier this season, their Fathers and Sons for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began the trend by exchanging humor for a touch of irony. The two newest pieces go deeper than Fathers and Sons: Both deal with family memories; both take off from the dark ruminations of actor-playwright David Greenspan.

In her …