As a dancer, I can appreciate the muscle control, synchrony and precision that the dancers showed. The motifs and themes that were enacted — life and birth, terror, the vulnerability of humanity (all my interpretations, mind you) — were powerful and truly challenged me. In the digital age, we're so used to being bopped over the head with obvious themes and parallels; this required me to do more mental work.
On the whole, however, the performance was not enjoyable to watch. The movements were painfully slow and the power of the delicate movements was lost on a large stage. In current context, this was more performance art than dance, and I think the stage setting set up viewers for a much more dynamic performance. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think that the emperor was not wearing any clothes, and no one had the guts to admit it. I know butoh dance is an ancient medium, but I couldn't help but think the performance could have done a better homage to the old form by taking into account current sensibilities and modifying it to appeal to a modern eye. I venture to guess more people in the Ann Arbor area are now turned off to butoh dance than now devotees.