November 09, 2007 23:11
erome Robbins Tribute runs to Nov. 18. Four Seasons Centre for the
Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. Wed-Sat 7:30pm, some Sat-Sun matinees.
$45-$200; same-day rush tickets available for $30 for ages 16-29.
416-345-9595. www.national.ballet.ca.
Fond memories of the enduringly popular film and stage musical West Side Story
are the obvious bait for the National Ballet of Canada’s season opener,
a three-piece tribute to choreographer Jerome Robbins (pictured here in
1961). And, yes, longtime fans will thrill to the familiar athleticism,
sexiness and storytelling power of the dancing in numbers like “Cool,”
“America” and “Dance at the Gym.” But Robbins’ other two works very
nearly steal the show. Altogether, it’s a wonderfully lined-up evening
of diverse dance entertainment.
It opens with Glass Pieces (1983), set to music by the
famously minimalist and repetitive composer Philip Glass. Much of the
music is reminiscent of the Glass-scored film Koyannisqatsi,
and the choreography similarly recalls the film’s visual language.
Literally dozens of colorfully clad bodies stride on and off stage to
suggest crowds. But they’re tempered by beautifully minimal touches,
like the simple backlit line of dancers that edges onstage
arithmetically. As with Glass’ music, the dance motifs gather power for
a satisfying finish.
The opening night performance was dedicated to the late Richard
Bradshaw, the Canadian Opera Company leader who orchestrated the
creation of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and the
proper acoustics we now enjoy. The debt to Bradshaw is particularly
clear when the National Ballet Orchestra acquits itself so well,
finding the soul in Glass’ deceptively mechanistic work,
Next comes In the Night (1970), an unapologetically
romantic series of linked pas de deux set to four nocturnes by Chopin.
The dancing by each duo sneaks up on you, and even by the third time
you’re still surprised by the breathtaking exit. Robbins’ articulation
is undeniable even to the most unformed fan of dance, and the dancers
do it justice.
Fans of West Side Story will find emotional payoff in West Side Story Suite
(1995), performed here for the first time outside of the originating
company, the New York City Ballet. Non-fans may gripe at the short
shrift that’s given to the singing, even just in terms of audibility;
it’s definitely the dancing that’s centre stage. But it’s always fun to
see the company step out of its tights. The whole program could be
called ballet for people who think they don’t like ballet.