WHITE BOX ARTS LIVE! (EMPHASIS ON WHITE)
Apropos, right? That happens to be the name of the studio theatre, located in Liberty Station, San Diego, in which SAN DIEGO BALLET performs their dance revue entitled WHITE IN WHITE this weekend. Framed by a backdrop of flowing white fabric adorned by flickering (and pesky) white candles, the space invites a sampling of mostly classical.pieces for the rapt, packed audience in attendance tonight. Initially, Artistic Director Javier Velasco provides some insights into the selection of the repertoire on the program.
Dancer Camille Mcpherson solos on the first selection, “Le Cygne”, resonating on pointe in the memory of Anna Pavlova, the original ballerina who captured both the beauty and the dread of a dying swan to the music of Camille Saint-Saens. Delicate and almost ethereal.
Next, to the sounds of Claude Debussy, Joe Hochschild and Zoe Marinello-Kohn interpret “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” with a contemporary approach. Its starkness speaks artifice rather than the sensuality usually attached to this classic. Frankly, not a fan from this quarter.
Onto the more traditional approach with some selections from “Que Bonito Amor” (What A Beautiful Love) danced by Cindy Case and Ryan Walker. As far as this reviewer is concerned, mariachi music and ballet provide a winning combination. Celebratory and joyous!
Surprised to see the the “Pas de deux from Giselle” on the program tonight since City Ballet of San Diego recently offered the entire ballet at the Spreckels Theatre as part of their 2017-18 Season. No matter, Stephanie Melorano and Adam Bloodgood capture the Romanticism inherent in their otherworldly coupling.
As the finale of the evening, a dozen SAN DIEGO BALLET dancers fill every nook and cranny of this tiny stage in a flurry of beauty in “Les Sylphides” (“Sylphs”…mythological air spirits) to the music of Frederic Chopin. There’s a freedom bursting from this piece after the original choreography of Michael Fokine. Mr. Hochschild, as the “Poet”, and the Sylphs nurture the mood of Romanticism with their glorious dance in the moonlight.
The evening’s wonderment breathes in exultation with these accomplished dancers. Experiencing their notable technique up close and personal seems refreshing to this observer. Now if the chairs could be way more comfortable and the worry about those candles setting the studio afire (with yours truly fried to a crisp) could be removed, this evening would have been nothing short of perfection. As it is this guy heads out to the night air thankful for the blessings of dance and grateful for the opportunity to stretch these limbs in his own celebration.
Kickass Dancing…Commentary on Pirouettes, Hippin’ ’n Hoppin’, Splits, Tutus and Any Rhythmic Gyrations Guaranteed to Get the Toes Tappin’ or the Heart – a – Thumpin’
