Dance Review: How the West was Won, One and Fun

February 19, 2009 by iDANZ Today
Filed under Ballet, iDANZ Critix Corner -Dance Reviews, Reviews

Aspen and Santa Fe are a long way from NYC, especially when it is a rainy, cold night. Thankfully, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company brought with them gorgeous dancers and the gorgeous beauty of Colorado and New Mexico. They took me away for an hour and half, and made me forget that I was in New York altogether.

Picture it . . . a white marley, two white scrims on either sides of the stage and a matching white backdrop. eight flawless, classically trained dancers performing together in perfect harmony, and Helen Pickett’s spectacular choreography to the music of Philip Glass and Thomas Montgomery Newman, and you have the phenomenal opening of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s Wednesday night performance at the Joyce Theatre!

The first piece entitled Petal was a dance that looked like a field of flowers at sunrise and sunset. It was an awesome display of athleticism and technique. The dancers bring with them the landscapes of the west in colors and energy, and I was wrapped from the word GO!!!!!

Next, it gets even better. Chameleon, choreographed by Itzik Galili, had 5 women, all dressed in sheer black, form fitting slips, seated in green chairs downstage. Almost entirely a gestural work, this piece felt like full out dancing. The piece, for me, felt like getting the full perspective of what it is like to be a woman: the self love, the self loathing, the cattiness, the camaraderie, the sexuality, the security and insecurity. You name it, and they gave it to you. The lighting was severe and dark and was in such contrast to the previous lightness of Petal, that it was the perfect match to follow. Chameleon was a series of insinuating gestures giving you insight into what it is to be a woman in public and private. The piece was so enthralling, and thrilling, and as the women were accelerating through their choreography, they brought me closer and closer to the edge of my seat until they each finally found their individual resolve. . . . And, I just sat back, took a breath, and fell even more in love with this ballet company, its dancers, and their diversely surprising repertory.

The third piece to follow was Slingerland Pas De Deux, by none other than the infamous William Forsythe. Legendary and irrefutable is his vision and his choreography. It was just a simple pas de deux that shared a glimpse into what not only Mr Forsythe is capable of, but also the dancers of Aspen Santa Fe. Sam Chittenden and Katherine Eberle moved immaculately as one. They were lit by two work lights positioned in the upstage corners of the stage facing the audience and the dancers, highlighting the form of movement and putting the emphasis on the choreography and the dancers ability to dance it, instead of having to perform it. It was brief and beautiful.

The closing piece of the evening was Jorma Elo’s 1st Flash. Eric Chase, Sam Chittenden, Seth DelGrasso, Katie Dehler, Katherine Eberle, and Samantha Klanac finished the concert just as amazingly as it was started. The music of Jean Sibelius was a bit dramatic and old fashion sounding for such neoclassical work but the dancers were so committed, and the choreography was so fun and isolating and all encompassing that I was able to forgive the melodrama of the last few minutes of the score. Dressed in grey, group sections, solos, duets, and trios swept through and across the stage. Filling the remainder of the evening with fierce dancing, memorable combinations of quick jumps, low lunges, off balanced pirouettes, and seamless partnering. 5 stars!!

The night was non stopped dancing and was so much fun to watch. They were a privilege to see, and it was such a rewarding concert to be apart of on a rainy and cold NYC night.

Photography by Rosalie O’Connor

www.aspensantafeballet.com

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Dante Puleio
Performance: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Venue: Joyce Theatre, New York City
Date: February 18, 2009
www.iDANZOnline.com