L.A.B. Unleashed

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing!  My sister and I went to see New Visions on Saturday afternoon, the latest Boston Ballet show at the Citi Wang Theater.  The show was comprised of 3 20 – 30 minute pieces, all with varying levels of classic ballet mixed with a more contemporary feel.  Overall I highly recommend the show, and I also highly recommend a glass of champagne during intermissions!   The 1st piece Brake the Eyes was a little rough for me.  It was very fragmented and the music was outright strange.  The costumes were classic ballet tutus, but the dancers were in bare feet.  The entire piece just did not set right with me.  The 2nd piece was so amazing though, it made up for any disappointment in the first one.  This piece was entitled Polyphonia, and I loved how it was so clean and simple, yet had a lot of complex movement at the same time.  The costumes were perfect – eggplant colored leotards, pink ballet tights.  The simplicity of the costume allowed the beauty of the dancing to shine through.  The music was comprised of 10 different classic piano pieces, all perfectly intertwined, and each new part of the music welcomed a new couple to the stage.  The partnering was creative, exciting, and even pleasantly surprising at times!  I would love to see this piece again, originally choreographed for the New York City Ballet.  I hear that the choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon, is starting his own company, so I’m going to have to keep tabs on that and see if I can get to a show.  The 3rd piece was my 2nd favorite, Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, but I was still so enthralled by Polyphonia, that is the one I will really remember.

Here’s a tip, if you’re a ballet lover like myself.  The Boston  Ballet offers membership to "young professionals" for $22 a year.  Then for each show you get $35 tickets to the best available seats in the house.  For the last two shows I’ve sat in the Orchestra, right around row R.  Not a bad deal, right?!  Next show isn’t until May – Classic Balanchine, then the season will finish off with Giselle!

There was a special on PBS not to long ago that went behind the scenes of the dance company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  Now, if you are one of those readers that doesn’t feel like reading much further based on me using the word "PBS" or "dance", give it a chance a read on – Alvin Ailey is not your typical dance company.  Everyone can enjoy it … it’s not just for the typical theater goers, or ballerinas, or dance enthusiasts alike … I would argue it can please even the people that don’t normally enjoy dance at all! 

The music is soulful and funky; the choreography is athletic, dynamic, and fast paced; the overall image on stage is bright and full of energy.  All their pieces really draw you in.  They perform in Boston every April, but since that is 10 months away, I highly recommend checking out this PBS special.  Especially if you have high definition TV — it is almost as good as sitting in the Wang Center.  This particular special walks you through the "ballet" Love Stories – part I, II, and III – representing Past, Present, & Future.  It’s funny using the word "ballet" with Alvin Ailey, but trust me … it’s no Swan Lake.  The piece Love Stories is put together by 3 different choreographers, all with 3 very different dance and teaching styles.  Part I (Present) starts out as a slow flowing piece, and then breaks into full fledged improv pandemonium – the dancers themselves throw together some huge lifts and kicks and fast twirling pirouettes – very cool stuff.  Love Stories Part II (Present), pumps up the audience with its hip hop style choreography hitting the climax, while Part III (Future) takes it back down, just a notch, but ends strong with the audience standing and clapping along to the strong beat of the music. 

This is a must see … so set the Tivo, the DVR, and check it out when you are feeling culturally inclined!  Also, you can download an excerpt from Love Stories here.