Dance Reviews

Jul 10, 2007 - Reno's Artown Festival presents American Ballet Theatre in a celebration of dance

By Jack Neal

It’s appropriate that the American Ballet Theatre make its Reno debut on what still may be the world’s largest indoor stage. The company is one of dance wonders of the world, with an expansive repertory that fits the demanding expectations of dance aficionados.

The Grand Theater of Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort was filled to capacity Tuesday evening (7/10/07) for one of the major performing arts events of this year’s Reno is Artown July 2007 festival.

No one could possibly have been disappointed.

The company came with a stellar reputation, and left with a stratospheric reputation based on technique, artistry, programming and everything associated with excellence in dance.

Opening with choreographer Mark Morris’s crisp sense of movement for “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes,” the wit of thirteen Virgil Thompson piano etudes (splendidly performed upstage by pianist Barbara Bilach) was visualized by Morris as a crystalline work – a vision in white sans emotion (helped immeasurably by Santo Loquato’s elegantly comfortable costumes). “Drink To Me” is loaded with droll surprises, such as when three female dancers come on stage following a trio of male dancers – a set-up perhaps for “anything you can dance we can dance better” – then two ladies escape as only ballet dancers can escape, for a female solo dance. Not a-belly-laugh moment, just a wink-of-the-eye moment. Created in 1988 for six male and six female dancers, “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” is - much like a Bach two-part invention - precise, translucent and exciting.

The bounce from a contemporary look and sound, to a romantic look and sound is the mix that makes ABT programming enviable – along, of course, with the company’s ability to dance any choreography that comes its way.

Enter legendary choreographer Marius Petipa and a haunting Tchaikovsky score. The innate radiance of the Act III Grand Pas de Deux from “Sleeping Beauty” adorned with the skill and artistry of Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky is classical ballet at its most divine. Cleanly danced, with an overlay of youthful vitality, these two seasoned artists know who Sleeping Beauty and her consort are – two teenagers very much in love.

Twyla Tharp’s choreography for Sinatra Suite is lush and lovely. With Sinatra singing “Strangers in the Night,” “All the Way,” “That’s Life,” “My Way,” and “One for My Baby,” the glamorous Sarah Lane danced with the handsome Herman Cornejo in a setting of stars twinkling against a midnight sky. Dressed in Oscar de la Renta evening dress, the romantic look, the romantic sound, the entrancing couple making beautiful dance together; theirs’ was the music that made hearts dance.

Social commentary has always been a source of artistic inspiration. War protest was the program’s final statement.

“The Green Table,” with book and choreography in 1932 by German pacifist Kurt Jooss, is unrelenting in its blast at politicians who send young men off to war and death, devastate the people left behind, make money off the endeavor, and never suffer the consequences of their actions. The opening scene, with its men of power in caricatured masks, is gesture dance and ballet of stunning economy. Much of the rest of the ballet – the soldiers in battle and the women left behind - becomes somewhat repetitive but hits its target nonetheless.

A work of powerful moral force, “The Green Table” attracted the attention of the Third Reich. Hitler and his henchmen were doing what they could to destroy German democracy. Jooss and his dancers had to flee. Today, with damage being inflicted on the American democracy by political cronies who know not what they do, “The Green Table” is a reminder that the ugly head of fascism isn’t just a phenomenon of Hitler’s Germany. Imposing as Death in this evils-of-society piece is Isaac Stappas. Daniel Waite and David LaMarche played F.A. Cohen’s crashingly profound two-piano score with skill and passion.

Hats off to Reno is Artown Executive Director Beth Macmillan and her staff for the ABT booking. An evening with American Ballet Theatre is an evening with the best dance and music the world offers.

For information about Reno is Artown concerts, plays, exhibits and other events call 775-322-1538 or go online at www.renoisartown.com.