[NEohioPAL]Berko review: VERB BALLETS

[Roy Berko]

VERB BALLETS AGAIN PROVES ITS WORTH

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--


Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

During an intermission interview at Verb Ballets
recent ‘CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS COLLECTION,’ which was
presented as part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s Dance
Works 05 program, Artistic Director Hernando Cortez 
shared that the company is going to hire his dancers
to 30-week contracts.  This is an exciting
announcement.  In these days of arts organizations
cutting back on expenses, for a local company to give
full-time employment to a corps of dancers is
exceptional.  It is a tribute to the wonderful job
that Cortez and Executive Director Dr. Margaret
Carlson have done in bringing this wonderful company
to rapid prominence.

The opening piece, “MOZART PIANO TRIO IN C MAJOR,” was
originally choreographed by Sean Curren in 2004. 
Dancing to the beautiful classical music the company
interpreted well the feel of the music with flowing
leaps, smooth gestures, extended arms, skipping,
twirls, jigs, and gender neutral lifts and carries. 
Trad Burns’ lighting and Janet Bolick’s costumes added
to the visually lovely presentation.  Kallie Marie
Bokal and Tracy Vogt were especially wonderful in
their dancing.

Dancer-turned-choreographer Mark Tomasic’s ‘THE MEMORY
ROOM,’ was first presented in 2004.  Danced to the
strong beat of music by Steve Reich and Moby,  dancers
Marcela Alvarez, Kallie Marie Bokal, Erin Conway,
Elizabeth Flyyn and Anna Roberts were polished and
poised.  Trad Burns’ lighting created wonderful
shadows which seemed to increase the 5 dancers into
many more.   Tomsic’s choreography fit the music.

Choreographer David Parsons’ SLEEP STUDY’ found the
dancers costumed in pajamas, sleeping on the floor. 
As they tossed and turned in their sleep, they rolled
on top of, over and spooned with each other.  The
delightful piece was summarized by one audience member
as “the most adorable dance I’ve ever seen.”  Right
she was!  ‘SLEEP STUDY’ is a sure audience pleaser.

Robert Wesner is not only a dancer with Verbs Ballet,
but is a choreographer and performer for his own
company, Neos Dance Theatre.  His world premiere
piece, ‘THE CHILD EPHEMERAL’ was performed to the
lullabies of Armenian composer Masmik Harutyunyan as
played by The Shoghaken Ensemble.  The slow methodical
choreography showed off the talents of the harlem
clothed corps of dancers.   The piece, with its
sensual overtones, was beautifully danced, but was
overly long.

Francis Poulenc’s piano music was the inspiration for
‘UNQUIET MINDS,’ a new piece choreographed by Hernando
Cortez.   Originally conceived for the American Ballet
Theatre, Cortez did not finish the dance and it was
never performed for the public.  The present staging
is a reinterpretation of the original choreography. 
The dance was placed in an imaginary space outlined by
white tape on the floor which served as a box where a
Grand puppeteer controls the thoughts and movements of
the Commedia del Arte characters.  The piece
represents a yearning to be free of the commands of
others and to be in control of one’s self.  Trad
Burns’ shadow-inducing lighting aided in mood
development.   The piece was well danced, but
unfortunately the selection did not have the power or
audience appeal to be a closing number.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Verb Ballets ‘CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
COLLECTION’ consisted of five well-conceived pieces.  
Each segment was uniquely different which added
interest, but the length of the program far exceeded
the attention span of the audience.  This is not the
first time the company’s programs have exceed a
reasonable time limit.  In the future, Cortez would be
wise to take this into consideration.

For information about Verb Ballet and its future
performances call 216-397-3757 or go on line to
www.verbballets.org.


UPCOMING AREA DANCE PERFORMANCES


VERB BALLETS  presents ‘NATURE MOVES,’ two evenings of
new ballets at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
on June 3 and 4.  For tickets, which are $25 and $40
(the $40 tickets include the special pre-performance
reception on June 3 or a post performance reception on
June 4) call 216-2312-1177 or 800-317-9155, extension
3279.  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is
located at 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle. 
The company will also appear at Cain Park on July 27
and at the Ashland Performing Arts Center on July 31.

‘PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY,’ May 14, Playhouse Square
Center’s State Theatre.  Tickets:  216-241-6000 or
800-888-9941 or visit www.playhousesquare.com.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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