BWW Reviews: Houston Ballet Transcends in FROM HOUSTON TO THE WORLD

Houston Ballet's FROM HOUSTON TO THE WORLD is like dining at a four-star restaurant and getting three perfectly orchestrated and richly diverse courses. Artistic director Stanton Welch presents an evening of ballet that is emotionally complex and very compelling in it's range of three distinctive ballet presentations.

The evening begins with ONE/end/ONE, choreographed by Jormo Elo. It is flirtacious and unexpected, with dancers seeming to skate on the floor, moving like wind up dolls, only to be bumped into sensual, twisting movement. Principals Karina González and Connor Walsh are fully present and powerful in their performances. Every dancer on stage exhibits strength and lyricism in this multifaceted presentation. The music is Mozart's Violin Concerto No.4 in D, and violinist Denise Tarrant is a master. Tarrant's violin pulls the heart of the music with unwavering precision in both this ballet, as well as in MURMURATION. Holly Hynes is the costume designer for this specific ballet, outfitting the dancers in sparkling black with accents of gold, lending a glamorous Spanish feel to the performance.

MURMURATION, choreographed by Edwaard Liang, is a dreamy revelation. Inspired by the flight patterns of birds, the choreography is hauntingly erotic and deeply lyrical. The mystical backdrop, the dancers in flowing wisps of purple and gray, and the heartbreaking music by Ezio Bosso all combine in an emotional performance that brings to mind old loves and complicated connections. The ethereal effects of feathers falling and embers floating to the ground behind the dancers is genius. MURMURATION is the highlight of the night, with artistic elements that move the audience through another world, another life. Costumes by Edwaard Liang and Laura Lynch support the emotional complexity of the dancing, and are beautiful in their spareness. MURMURATION holds a cast of seventeen dancers and all are nothing short of captivating. Karina González and Connor Walsh dance with seamless agility and flexibility in this contemporary ballet. MURMURATION alone is worth the ticket price; it's that transcending.

The evening closes with the demanding and regal PAQUITA. Because Paquita is so technically exacting, it's a perfect way to show off the range of talent at Houston Ballet. Artistic director Stanton Welch had many excellent reasons to bring Paquita back. "It was strange that it wasn't in the current repertoire because these variations are famous; dancers do them all the time in school and in competitions," says Welch. Truly, watching Paquita raises the question of what ballet would be like if it were an Olympic event. The dancers are undeniably powerful athletes in their own right. Emily Bowen demonstrates admirable strength and endurance in her Solo Ocho; much of the dance is perfomed using only her left leg for support. Everything about this Paquita is lush; the chandeliers, the deep red curtains draped across the backdrop, the regal costumes, and majestic choreography. First soloist Katharine Precourt is a vision in white, sparkling under the lights as the curtain goes up. Precourt has a wonderful stage presence with compelling femininity and strength to her dancing.

FROM HOUSTON TO THE WORLD is highly entertaining, inspiring, and impressive. This is an innovative company with pleasing performances, showcasing world-class artistry and skill.

For a transformative experience, go to http://www.houstonballet.org for tickets.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Houston Ballet

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