Review: Los Angeles Ballet's 11th Season Opens Spectacularly with Modernists/Ballet Visionaries

Los Angeles Ballet's eleventh season celebrates the masters and introduces LA to a new choreographer who is changing the dance landscape. The season opens with Modernists/Ballet Visionaries which features works of three icons of their time: August Bournonville, 1805-79, creator of the Danish Bournonville style of ballet which is still vibrant today; George Balanchine, 1904-82, Master choreographer who transformed American dance and created modern American ballet; Aszure Barton, contemporary choreographer who is leading ballet into rich, new territory. The program includes Bournonville's Napoli Pas de Six and Tarantella, Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto and the Los Angeles Ballet Premiere of Barton's Untouched (2010).

LAB has a strong history with Bournonville and Balanchine. Thordal Christensen, Artistic Director of LA Ballet, is the only artistic director (and dancer) in Los Angeles who is an authority on the Bournonville style, and Artistic Director Colleen Neary was personally selected by Balanchine to teach his choreography to major companies all over the world as a Repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust. Their thorough understanding of the work, plus a company of outstanding dancers, make the evening a night of incredible ballet you will always remember.

The two-hour evening of Modernists/Ballet Visionaries begins with Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto, staged by Colleen Neary and features incredible lead dancers Elizabeth Claire Walker, Julia Cinquemani, Kenta Shimizu and Dustin True along with many members of the company. Unlike other ballets staged by the company, the dancers were dressed as if in rehearsal wearing simple black and white clothing set against a solid light blue scrim so the audience could watch every muscle working its magic as the dancers literally flew through the air as if floating weightless. The combination of modern dance and contemporary ballet made the presentation striking and a thoroughly awe-inspiring joy to behold. And as always, the dramatic facial expressions of Shimizu enhanced his entire performance, not to mention his apparent ability to fly.

Next up for the evening was the Los Angeles Ballet Premiere of Barton's Untouched (2010) created by Aszure Barton and staged by Jonathan Emanuell Alsberry. The modern staging with dancers dressed in black and purple costumes designed by Fritz Masten was presented in front of a red velvet curtain with a center opening, a space used to feature individual dancers to showcase their skills. Its modern style was enhanced by the free-flowing mid-calf, slit skirts which the female dancers expertly used to flirt with each of their male pursuers. Dancers featured included Joshua Brown, Bianca Bulle, Abby Callahan, Laura Chachich, the lovely Chelsea Paige Johnston, Marc LaPierre, Leah McCall, Robert Mulvey, Tigran Sargsyan, Kenta Shimizu, Dustin True, and Elizabeth Claire Walker.

Lastly, renowned choreographer August Bournonville's Pas de Six and Tarantella taken from Act 3 of his full-length ballet Napoli were presented. It recounts the spirited, joyous dance of celebration at the wedding of Teresina and Gennaro (Bianca Bulle and Kenta Shimizu). Presented in more "traditional" peasant-style costumes with each dancer dressed similarly in different colors by Soren Frandsen, the piece was staged by Thordal Christensen with lighting by Tyler Lambert-Perkins, and featured duets as well as pieces for 3 to 6 dancers. It featured many as soloists, each having their own moment in the spotlight to share their unique style with the appreciative audience. Tigran Sargsyan from Armenia certainly made a wonderful first impression with his great leaping skill, having just joined LA Ballet this season. The rousing tambourine celebration was a joy to behold. The celebratory nature of the entire cast onstage at the end made for a most enchanting finale. Congrats to all involved.

You have one more chance to catch Modernists/Ballet Visionaries at Royce Hall, UCLA on Saturday, October 29 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $31.00 - $99.00, students, children, seniors, and military 20% discount. Box Office Phone: 310-998-7782; Website at www.losangelesballet.org.

The 2016 holidays welcome back LAB's popular The Nutcracker (December 2016), set in 1913 Los Angeles. This year LAB offers special Christmas Eve matinees, providing more opportunities to see this family favorite and to enjoy Tchaikovsky's beloved music. To close the season, Los Angeles Ballet presents Balanchine/Master of the Dance (March 2017). In a Los Angeles Ballet premiere Balanchine captures Mozart in the crystalline Divertimento No. 15. The program also includes the hauntingly beautiful Prodigal Son (Prokofiev) and the playful Who Cares? (Gershwin).

"We are proud to present such a diverse program this season," said Christensen and Neary, LAB's Co-Artistic Directors. "With masters Balanchine and Bournonville, the holiday favorite The Nutcracker, and introducing our audience to Barton, a contemporary choreographer, we offer a smorgasbord of delights."

Continuing LAB's mission to offer world-class professional ballet to greater Los Angeles, its programs are performed at LAB's home theaters: UCLA's Royce Hall, Glendale's Alex Theatre, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, and the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Please visit LAB's website at www.losangelesballet.org for specific performance dates and to purchase tickets.

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