Thursday January 18, 2007 - Exact duplicate of last night's program. I took my friend Rob, thinking he would love IN VENTO and I was right. This ballet weaves quite a spell; it is totally unlike anything else in the repertoire. The audience - slightly smaller than last night's - was far more vocal in their admiration of the piece, and of all the dancers tonight.
MOZARTIANA and TCHAIKOVSKY PIANO CONCERTO #2 were danced at the same high level as last night, Sylve more brilliant - if that is possible - and Teresa Reichlen more refined. Charles Askegard was having a very fine night. Faye Arthurs & Ashley Laracey are so beautiful here...thank you, girls! Vincent Paradiso, who is subbing for Sean Suozzi as a demi in this ballet, seemed a bit unsure of himself on Wednesday but tonight he had the steps mastered and his jump was bright. Seth Orza was his counterpart in a strong performance. Among the corps, Kaitlyn Gilliland, Katie Bergstrom and Lauren King caught my eye and William Lin-Yee stands out not just because he is the tallest person onstage but also has a handsome style and nice line.
Wendy & Nikolaj Hubbe danced MOZARTIANA again to lovely effect, and Daniel Ulbricht was an audience favorite. Rob thought the four little girls gave the ballet a 'cute' aspect that detracted from the overall tone.
IN VENTO was thrilling and the audience reaction was thoroughly deserved. This ballet looks better from Theatre Left than from the Right. Ben Millepied, Maria Kowroski, Eddie Liang and Tiler Peck excelled in their demanding roles; the ensemble were committed and intense. Rob loved this piece, wants to see it again, and plans to send some of his colleagues to check it out.
The only distraction tonight was a series of coughing spells from the audience during the very quiet pas de deux section of IN VENTO.
Normally I am pretty reticent but tonight I was babbling on about Balanchine, the Diamond Project, the aspects of BALLET IMPERIAL vs. Tchaik PC#2, dancer gossip and all sorts of other stuff to Rob during the intermissions. Between that and yelling 'bravo' loudly several time tonight, I am now hoarse. But it's a good kind of hoarse.
These were some notes from the Playbill. I hope once you click on the panel you'll be able to read them. At the top of this entry is a Paul Kolnik photo of Maria K & Jason Fowler in IN VENTO from last season, also from the Playbill.
Now I can't wait to see it again!
Posted by: tonya | January 20, 2007 at 11:24 PM