DREAM #3

Tonight's performance played to a larger and more responsive audience than the previous two I attended. Leslie Dunner, a guest conductor, led a super-fast rendition of the overture which seemed to get everyone's attention geared up. Tiler Peck, a petite and very polished  Butterfly, was the first of many treats of the evening. Daniel Ulbricht skidded as he ran onto the stage, righted himself, and proceeded to give a whirlwind performance of sprightly character and easily tossed-off combinations. Andrew Veyette, doing without the glamourous make-up, was an Oberon who combined virility with flashing bravura steps, all delivered with lightness & finesse. Sofiane Sylve, a vision as Titania, danced with her usual thorough command and superb extension. Those excellent dancing actors, Melissa Barak & Amar Ramasar, brought their roles to life in dynamic portrayals; Barak's dancing was striking in its clarity. Sterling Hyltin had a big success with Hermia's solo - one of the highlights of the evening - and Seth Orza was her ardent cavalier. In the Act II adagio, Jenifer Ringer's wonderfully sustained phrasing and beautiful hands were spell-binding; she and Askegard were very warmly applauded. Earlier, Jason Fowler partnered Sylve and was impressive in his solo passage. Gwyneth Muller has all the elements for Hippolyta's solos, though in Act II her partnered fouettes & pirouettes were uneven. Max van der Sterre was a very tall & youthfully noble Duke; he has the potential of being a big asset to the Company with his height and fine presence. Robert LaFosse did a guest turn as a specially endearing Bottom. Among the many other dancers, Amanda Hankes, Kaitlyn Gilliland and Likolani Brown caught my eye many times; Krohn, Sloan, Dronova, Hanson, Keenan & Ashley Laracey were the beauties of the divertissement; and Lauren King is captivating. Genevieve LaBean, whom I had not seen for a while, was onstage tonight.