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Star-Crossed

"Romeo and Juliet"
The National Ballet of Canada
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Toronto, Canada
March 11, 2020

by Denise Sum
copyright © 2020 by Denise Sum

Before Toronto (and much of the world) went on lockdown, the National Ballet of Canada gave a spirited performance of Alexei Ratmansky's "Romeo and Juliet". The original cast from the world premiere in 2011, Guillaume Côté and Elena Lobsanova, shone as the passionate yet doomed lovers. They were supported by a strong supporting ensemble, as well as by Ratmansky's evocative storytelling and energetic choreography. Two days after opening night, the remainder of the run was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

Elena Lobsanova and Guillaume Côté in "Romeo and Juliet". Photo by Bruce Zinger.

Hedi Pope Centennial

Hedi Politzer/Pitt/Pope was born 100 years ago on March 18 in Austria. She was a pupil of Vienna’s waltzing and ballet-based modern dancers (particularly of Ellinor Tordis, Hedy Pfundmayr and the internationally renowned Grete Wiesenthal) and can be seen in the 1937 film “Silhouetten”. She fled from Austria’s 1938 annexation by Nazi Germany to the United States, where she appeared as a leading dancer in “refugee revues” that introduced European cabaret to New York’s Broadway.  She was told to forget her earlier dance training and become an American modern dancer. Is it possible, though, for the body to forget what it once danced? Hedi did acquire new skills in America, shortened her last name to Pitt and during World War 2 married an American sailor (William Pope). She founded CODA (Contemporary Dancers of Alexandria, Virginia), making it a prominent studio and company across the Potomac river from Washington, DC and, as Hedi Pope, directed it for decades. Hedi now lives at a retirement home in the mountains of North Carolina, near her daughter’s and son’s families. Happy 100^th to you, Hedi!     

(see also the tribute to Hedi P in the March issue of the on-line Austrian dance publication tanz.at)

Surreal Wonderland

“Fruits borne out of rust”
Tabaimo and Maki Morishita
Japan Society
New York, NY
March 7, 2020

by Martha Sherman
copyright © 2020 by Martha Sherman

Japanese visual artist Tabaimo is a woman on the verge of mid-life, determined to make that transition productively. “Fruits borne out of rust” is a multi-dimensional collaborative performance piece, weaving imagery, sound, and movement to tell mesmerizing stories through scenes that also provoke laughter and discomfort. Co-created with choreographer Maki Morishita and dancer Chiharu Mamiya, the “fruits” partnered Tabaimo’s visual art with a striking solo dance performance to explore this new phase in each of their lives as artists.

 

 

 

Chiharu Mamiya in "Fruits borne out of rust." Photo ©Maria Baranova.

Angels and Mortals

"Chroma", "Marguerite and Armand", "Angels' Atlas"
The National Ballet of Canada
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Toronto, Canada
February 29, 2020

by Denise Sum
copyright © 2020 by Denise Sum

The National Ballet of Canada's winter mixed program was a strong one, highlighted by the world premiere of Crystal Pite's captivating "Angels' Atlas", her second ballet commissioned by the NBoC. She created the powerful "Emergence" for the company in 2009 and "Angels' Atlas" follows in a similar stylistic vein while still feeling fresh. This program also marks the retirement of veteran principal dancer Greta Hodgkinson after an impressive 30 years in the company. She chose Sir Frederick Ashton's dance drama "Marguerite and Armand" for her swan song. Rounding out the program was a revival of Wayne McGregor's crowd-pleasing "Chroma". 

Artists of the Ballet in "Angels' Atlas". Photo by Karolina Kuras.

Bits & Pieces

Demo: Now 2020
with Damian Woetzel, Jon Boogz, Robbie Fairchild,
Lil Buck, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Dario Natarelli,
Melissa Toogood,  Brooklyn Rider quartet, Kate Davis, Alberta Khoury
Eisenhower Theater
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, DC
March 2, 2020

 by George Jackson
copyright 2020 by George Jackson

There wasn’t the familiar sparkle. This series of highbrow vaudeville acts usually comes to a sizzling climax. Not this time. I don’t think the coronavirus can be blamed. Moreover, the program got off to a good and snappy start with “1.2.3.4.5.6”, a rhythmic phrase danced, recited and clapped by three men (Lil Buck, Robbie Fairchild, Dario Natarelli) and one woman (Melissa Toogood). Then our host and curator, Damian Woetzel, appeared and was his suave self, giving the evening a spoken introduction. What followed, though, seemed random fragments. Even variety shows need substance.

The cast of DEMO in A Story. Photo by Mena Brunette