Author: jason

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The Phantom of the Opera

I saw my wonderful ballet teacher Deanna Doyle perform on Broadway. Deanna: You looked great! I wish I could have seen you as Meg Giry though. 馃槈

About time I caught the longest-running Broadway musical. I had expected the many familiar songs: Think of Me, Angel of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and so on. I was curious how the chandelier would fall in live theatre. However, I wasn’t quite prepared for the other special effects like the columns of fire on stage. I suppose there’s a reason why Phantom is referred to as the ultimate mega-musical.

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ABT Met Opera Season

Congrats to American Ballet Theatre for a wonderful Met Opera season.

You can still see many of your favorite ABT dancers on stage again on July 25-26. ABT’s very own Gemma Bond is presenting her works at the Joyce Theater Ballet Festival in collaboration with 16 incredible ABT dancers. Help support her project and the dancers!

Now, back to the closing night and my third visit this week with Tchaikovsky Spectacular.

I can’t decide which I like more: “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” or “Souvenir d’un lieu cher”.

Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside were stunning in “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux”. The fast-paced duet is a treat filled with gorgeous aerials, and Isabella and James owned every one of them. 鉂わ笍鉂わ笍

Seeing “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” a second time allowed me to reinterpret this ballet, take in all its details, and appreciate the story even more. In a few short minutes, this ballet brings you inside the mind and soul of the lead character, her memories past, and her torn heart. It makes you feel nostalgia. It reminds you of first loves. It touches your raw emotions. The different cast tonight, newly promoted Devon Teuscher (congrats!), Cassandra Trenary, David Hallberg, and Tyler Maloney, beautifully danced the four roles. Bravos! 馃馃

Also, shoutouts to Jeffrey Cirio and Gabe Stone Shayer You were amazing in Mozartiana and Aurora’s Wedding!

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Wave Rising Series

Opening night at the Wave Rising Series, featuring works by emerging choreographers.

Exciting work, if I may add!!! The series continues for two more weekends including works by four more companies that didn’t present tonight. Go and check them out. Some of my favorites:

“Searching for a Phase Change” by LaneCoArts. I like the fusion of dance, drawing, and the various music segments. The interplay between the dancers and the painter is novel and unexpected. The piece starts with five dancers moving about the room, and a painter on the floor furiously filling his canvas with bold lines. When their roles are suddenly reversed, the effect is not just visual but psychological too. A big shock to the painter, who suddenly see the world in a different perspective. I would love to learn more about what motivated the choreography. The emotions are so raw in this piece. Is there a real-world experience behind it?

Excerpts from “now now” by Mei Yamanaka Works. Struggles and conflicts define the relationship between the two characters on stage. In the beginning, the two try to pop the (imaginary) balloons tied around each other’s ankles, in a playful but competitive manner. The playfulness turns into judo-like throw downs of each other. Dressed in complementary orange and grey costumes, the two characters engage in activities that increasingly frustrate each other, hurt each other, before calming down and reverting to same pattern over and over again. Yet, they always stick with each other no matter what happens. I guess, in a way, that’s just real-life relationships, isn’t it?

“COR-O2” by 袨niin Dance Company and Daniela Rapisarda. This piece has its own distinct stylistic movements that, in all honesty, defy words to describe it. The body isolations and arm movements are so much fun to watch!

Excerpts from “iyouuswe” by Young Soon Kim Dance Company. An abstract piece that cannot be described in words either and, as far as I can tell, does not have a narrative. Yet, there are moments in the choreography where the movements feel so nature and satisfying!!!

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The Exiles by Jos茅 Lim贸n

The Jos茅 Lim贸n Dance Company wrapped up the Contemporary Dance festival at Bryant Park tonight.

I saw “The Exiles” twice at the Joyce Theatre earlier this year, but it took me until the second viewing to fully appreciate the piece. I’m so glad to watch it again.

Centered around a couple, the choreography tells the couple’s story in two movements, “The Flight” and “The Remembrance.” At the beginning, the couple walk onto the stage arms around each other’s back, alternating between making brave strides forward and taking tentative but necessary steps to continue their journey. Immigrants arriving in a new land, perhaps? Or maybe refugees who cannot look back? In any case, we follow the couple in this foreign land as they take on new identities, become momentarily euphoric, only to struggle again. Eventually, the couple shed their shells, their exterior pretense, and finally find their true selves. As they across the stage again, their strides are higher, braver, and ever more confident.

Well, that’s how I translated Lim贸n’s language anyways.

The piece is as relevant to my own expat existence in New York City this evening, as it is to the plights of millions back in 1950 when the piece was first created, as it is to millions around the world now. And that, capturing the essence of our lives and our everyday experiences, is what I find to be the magic of Jos茅 Lim贸n.

Bravos to Mark Willis and Savannah Spratt for the wonderful performance!

“The Exiles”
Choreographer: Jos茅 Lim贸n
Dancers: Savannah Spratt and Mark Willis of the Jos茅 Lim贸n Dance Company
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Black Boys Dance Too

Second in the program, Black Boys Dance Too performed at the Contemporary Dance festival at Bryant Park tonight.

They braved and danced in the rain last year. Thankfully the sky cleared this afternoon just in time for us to see those gorgeous young men going full out on stage today.

“Blocked”
Choreographer: Terk Lewis
Dancers: Black Boys Dance Too
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Bryant Park Presents Contemporary Dance

Youngsters from the Harlem School of the Arts opened the Contemporary Dance festival tonight at Bryant Park.

Energetic and cheerful, these kids remind us why we are here: Because we just loooove to dance!

“Sweet’s Sweet Suite”
Choreographers: Aubrey Lynch II, Leyland Simmons
Dancers: Harlem School of the Arts Dance Ensembles and Junior Dance Ensembles
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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More Tchaikovsky Spectacular

My second evening of Tchaikovsky Spectacular with American Ballet Theatre! Tonight’s program features eight principals and four soloists in excerpts from four ballets.

I was floored by Alexei Ratmansky’s “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” (Memory of a dear place). What a beautiful choreography. What an emotional story about the intertwined lives of two pairs of lovers. What a perfect cast to deliver the dance.

Stella Abrera is gorgeous in her turns and leaps, but was even more stunning playing her sentimental and slightly temperamental character whose past (Alban) crossed into her present (Marcelo). Likewise, Marcelo Gomes and Alban Lendorf are absolutely amazing technically, but delivered even more amazing theatre tonight. Sarah Lane was wonderful as the jovial and perhaps innocent girl opposite Stella.

The chemistry among the cast is incredible. My favorite moment is when Alban kissed Sarah. Stella reacted with a sense of shock, denial, sadness… before she dashed off stage. Marcelo stood by the wings of the theater… just watching Stella, loving her, but knowing there is nothing he could do. Wow!!! 鉂わ笍鉂わ笍鉂わ笍

My other favorite of the night is AfterEffect by ABT’s very own Marcelo Gomes. The piece starts with a rare ensemble of 13 male dancers. The scene is beautifully choreographed and generously showcases the men’s movements. I love the large formations, some numbering 24+ dancers. I also love how Marcelo uses the crowd to draw attention to the soloists. Highlights include Cassandra Trenary flying high from above to kiss Cory Stearns below amongst a sea of dancers. Congrats on the Met Opera House premier!!

Finally, love James Whiteside‘s explosiveness and Misty Copeland‘s musicality and playfulness in The Nutcracker’s Act II Pas de Deux.

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Star Spotting at the Met Opera

Star spotting tonight at the Met Opera!

The final week of American Ballet Theatre season is the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Tonight’s program features excerpts from four ballets… or put differently, a chance to see six principals and five soloists on stage in a single night (and that’s just the top billed artists).

Two of my favorite stars, Gillian Murphy and James Whiteside, duetted in a fun Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. As the tempo picked up, the aerials only got faster and higher, cultivating in Gillian leaping into two gorgeous fish dives and an overhead lift by James to end the piece. Bravos! Thank you for the treat!!! 馃敟馃槏馃槝

Cassie Trenary was lovely as Princess Aurora in Aurora’s Wedding. Sadly, Herman Cornejo was injured and unable to perform as Prince D茅sir茅.

Costuming for the wedding is absolutely stunning. Love Alexandra Basmagy‘s dress as the Queen (and her beautiful performance earlier in the night in Mozartiana alongside Catherine Hurlin). My favorite step of all times is the mazurka, and so naturally I adored ensemble of mazurka dancers.

We got a preview of the White Cat on instagram during intermission by Elina Miettinen, who came out as the purrrfect sassy kitten. Don’t mess with this one. Meow! 馃樆