Dance Reviews

Jul 12, 2006 - Reno's Artown under the stars with Sierra Nevada Ballet's "Blues and Ballet at Bartley"

By Jack Neal

Dancing under the stars at Bartley Ranch in the lovely Hawkins Amphitheater is even more inviting when the Sierra Nevada Ballet is doing the dancing.

The company's artistic director, Rosine Bena, is building a reputation for programs of variety and beauty that are attracting exceptional dancers to the Reno-Sparks area. The combination of talent and passion for the art moves Sierra Nevada Ballet programs closer and closer to the ideal - exciting choreography, artfully executed.

The company's live-music collaboration with the Susan Mazer, Dallas Smith, Andy Heglund Jazz Trio makes these programs even more enticing. Live music and live dance go hand in hand. One cannot have a freely expressive art form where a good portion of the art is restricted by the static element of a recording blocking the ebb and flow of individuality. Along with several wonderful collaborations with dance, the Mazer, Dallas, Heglund Trio creates its own superlative jazz moments; among many favorites, a cool rendering of Gershwin's "Summertime" that really made all the livin' seem easy.

The company's principal dancers are tap dancer extraordinaire and elegant ballroom dancer Sam Weber, and the exceptionally lyric ballet dancer Domingo Rubio (formerly with the Joffrey).

Weber's maturity and virtuosity are evident in all he does. The romantic ballroom episode to Cole Porter's "Touch of Your Hand" was a nostalgic throwback to the elegance of screen musicals in the '30s and '40s. For mnay of us, seeing once again the choreography of the legendary Stanley Kahn who helped make the Shipstads and Johnson "Ice Follies" a touring show-business phenomenon, was a return to time of grace and glamour largely missing from today's entertainment industry. For a few moments it was Weber and partner Larissa Cassera and romance, and it was lovely.

Domingo Rubio's choreographed and danced solo piece honoring those gave their lives to protect America, "Fallen Angel," had dignity and simplicity that made it all the more powerful and touching. Dancing to Johnny Mercer's "Laura," in collaboration with a lush Mazer-Smith arrangement and the lyric choreography of Rosine Bena, Ananda Bena-Weber danced with the eloquence the haunting mystique of "Laura" must have.

The company's corps de ballet made up in enthusiasm and style what it sometimes lacked in absolute precision of ensemble. Set to the progressive jazz of Davie Brubeck there was enough snap and attitude in a number called "Unsquare Dance," and near religious fever in a lay-it-on-the-line celebration of Annie Lennox's "Take Me To The River" to dispell any notions that all cannot be spit-and-polish precision with this young and energetic troupe.

Sierra Nevada Ballet is noted for its beautiful dancing and eclectic programming. It's "Blues and Ballet at Bartley" did not disappoint.

Next up for the Sierra NEvada Ballet is its "Star Under the Stars" presentation as part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; at the Warren Trepp Amphitheater, Sand harbor State Park just South of Incline Village, Nevada. August 25 and 27 (2006) at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 1-800-SHOWS.