[NEohioPAL]Berko review: VERB BALLETS

[Roy Berko]

VERB BALLETS,  a treat at the Nature Center

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

On the way out of opening night of Verb Ballets’
‘NATURE MOVES 2,’ which was staged at the Cleveland
Museum of Natural History’s auditorium, a woman who
attends almost every dance program in the area gushed,
“They are absolutely consistent.  What a treat.”  

Yes, she is right.  Verb is consistent and they are a
treat.  Artistic Director Hernando Cortez has molded
his company into a very effectively operating dance
machine.  The dancers are well-trained and perform
with purpose and focus.

‘NATURE MOVES 2’ consisted of four pieces.  The
opening offering, danced in well designed black and
white costumes by Suzy Campbell, was “Shadow of
Nes-min.”  It was based on The Book of the Dead, a
collection of prayers and spells believed to provide
aid for the spirit of the deceased.   The live piano
music, excellently played by Michael Schneider, was
proficiently interpreted by the dancers.  Consisting
of a number of dramatic poses and intricate body
moves, the segment was danced well by the company.  It
is not a show stopper, but served as a good curtain
raiser to show the skills of the company.

‘KU’U HOME,’ a company premiere, was pleasantly danced
by newcomer Sydney Ignacio.  He is a proficient dancer
who, under the guidance of Cortez, should develop
well.  He needs to learn to exude confidence and
solidly stick his landings on leaps.

For those interested in classical ballet, Cortez
incorporated ‘ANDANTE SOSTENUTO’ into the program. 
Choreographed originally by Heinz Poll, it is an
interpretation of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Second Movement
Piano Concerto #2 in D minor.  Anna Roberts, who never
looked completely comfortable, danced the female role
in this pas de deux.  She displayed some nice toe
work.  Brian Murphy very competently partnered.  It
would have been nice to see Murphy given more of an
opportunity to display his strong balletic skills.  

‘WOLFGANG STRATEGIES,’ is a sprightly piece, set to
several musical compositions of Wolfgang Mozart.  A
modern ballet with classical overtones, the world
premiere, was an audience pleaser.  Danced with
flowing hands and high jumps, a feeling of abandon and
glee was present as the dancers and audience alike
smiled throughout.  As in all the pieces in the
program, Trad Burns lighting helped set the mood and
visually guide the audience.  

Burns’ and Cortez’s accomplishments in being able to
create excellence is amazing as the Nature Museum’s
space is a lecture hall, with a long narrow stage and
none of the lighting instruments usually found in
auditoriums.  Bravo!

As I have stated in the past, Cortez needs to figure
out where he is going next regarding the company’s
personnel.  He took a major step forward in putting
Brian Murphy under contract.  He has also added Sydney
Ignacio to his corps of dancers.  Ignacio is a work in
progress. The women of the company continue to be
excellent.   Cortez has a major task.  Competent male
dancers are hard to find and the fact that Verb is a
core rather than a star-centered company makes finding
males even more difficult.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Verb Ballets continues to impress
in its climb to its position as the area’s best and
most consistent mid-sized dance company!  

A company fund-raiser, ‘SWING PARTY USA,’ will be held
at the Erieview
Galleria on E. 9th and Lakeside on October 21 from
6:30-11:00 p.m.  For information call 216-397-3757.




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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