The Golden Cockerel

Vibrant colors and dazzling costumes in The Golden Cockerel by American Ballet Theatre.

A rather distinctive experience at the ballet tonight. Everything about the Golden Cockerel is different. The bold vibrant colors. The dazzling and elaborate costumes. A backdrop that makes the theater feel more like a painting than a stage. Altogether, the dancers look as if they were well-crafted puppets and lovely dolls moving through a painting.

The ballet, a comedy, showcases more dramatic moments, comical interactions, and playful seduction than technically-demanding moves. Misty Copeland is the perfect femme fatale as Queen of Shemakhan. Skylar Brandt is amazing as the Golden Cockerel, who has the most challenging and exhausting choreography. Also, love Craig Salstein as the hilarious melodramatic General Polkan.

Giselle

Young love, broken hearts, and forgiveness tonight with Giselle at American Ballet Theatre.

Sarah Lane is gorgeous as Giselle, and perfectly captures the sorrow, the sadness, and the anguish in Giselle before her death. Likewise, Herman Cornejo is amazing with his turns, leaps, and extensions (how does he kick so high?) cultivating in his dramatic death in front of the wilis.

Two random thoughts: Puppies on stage tonight!!! Why is that our best so often comes out only at the final moments, of death or farewell?