After a long hiatus due to pandemic restrictions and in spite of the distressing current news of the world I was lucky enough to attend the welcome return of The Soraya’s Resident Ballet Company, “Ballet BC” on Sat. Feb. 26th. The evening consisted of scenes from “Romeo and Juliet” and “Garden” choreographed by Artistic Director Medhi Walerski and “The Statement” by preeminent choreographer Chrystal Pite. It was chilly outside but warm in the theater where the dancers heated up the stage.
Ballet BC – Emily Chessa and Justin Rapaport in “Romeo and Juliet” Choreography by Medhi Walerski – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
The Balcony Scene extracted from “Romeo and Juliet,” Walerski’s full-length ballet, opened the evening. When the curtain lifts to reveal an enormous hollow white cube we know we are in for a modern take on an ancient tale. The cube becomes the balcony and this is where we find Juliet, an ebullient Emily Chessa. Romeo, Justin Rapaport, full of lust and longing embodies the young Romeo with his wonderful line and great technical ability. The adagio that ensues is both playful and sensual as the soon to be lovers discover each other and themselves. The choreography, a mix of contemporary and balletic moves, fills every nuance of the swooningly beautiful Prokofiev score. Sliding, lunging, falling, rolling, teasing, kissing we are with them every step of the way.
Ballet BC – Emily Chessa and Justin Rapaport in “Romeo and Juliet” Choreography by Medhi Walerski – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
A short interlude with Friar Lawrence, Zenon Zubyk and the Nurse, Kaylin Sturtevant, sets up the Bedroom Scene. Again we are pulled into the highly charged realm of these young lovers. This adagio with its partner work is less playful and more intense as once again the dancers bring their emotions to the story. Chessa is a lovely and able dancer but it is Rapaport whose commands the stage with his deep commitment to the character and the dance.
The concept, choreography and costume design for “Romeo and Juliet” are by Medhi Walerski. Minimalist Set Design is by Theun Mosk and interesting lighting is also by Theun Mosk with Medhi Walerski and Pierre Pontvianne.
Those who have seen the full-length production of Walerski’s, “Romeo and Juliet” tell me that these scenes are far more potent when seen within the context of the full story. I for one will look forward to seeing this classic when it graces The Soraya stage again.
Ballet BC – Anna Bekirova, Livona Ellis, Justin Rapaport and Rae Srivastava in “The Statement” choreography by Chrystal Pite – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
Words fail to give due justice to the brilliance of choreographer Crystal Pite’s “The Statement.” With her “wildly inventive choreographic style” we are pulled into the twilight zone of a boardroom meeting and it’s socio/political fallout. A prerecorded script by Canadian playwright Jonathan Young sweeps us into this murky underworld. “The characters have been tasked with fueling a conflict in a distant country.” This seems a prescient topic given the days old invasion of Ukraine and the disaster this portends. As tensions rise finger pointing and blame lead to the scapegoat. Each dancer, dressed in business attire uses their body in ways both extreme and subtle to “speak” the dialogue. Slithering and undulating through the exacting choreography they move with miraculous ease and command. As the tension mounts at the ponderous conference table, the movement, the lighting, the pulsating soundscape and the fast moving dialogue converge as a massive monolithic cylinder descends from the flies and presses downward onto “the one” who must make a “Statement.”
On the final blackout the audience leapt to it’s feet giving the performers a well deserved standing ovation.
Ballet BC – Anna Bekirova, Livona Ellis, Justin Rapaport and Rae Srivastava in “The Statement” choreography by Chrystal Pite – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
Every aspect of this piece brings something important to the overall spectacle. Impeccable Lighting Design by Tom Visser creates an atmosphere of oppression, while the Set Design by Jay Gower Taylor imposes itself on the room. The music that emerges from dialogue underscore and comes at you like a runaway train is by Owen Belton. Costumes are appropriate by Crystal Pike and Joke Visser.
The four extraordinary dancers are, Anna Bekirova, Livona Ellis, Justin Rapaport and Rae Srivastava.
We can only hope that Ballet BC will bring more work by the remarkable Crystal Pite to the stage as they continue their residency with The Soraya.
Ballet BC in “Garden” choreographed by Artistic Director Medhi Walerski – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
The final work of the night “Garden” by Medhi Walerski, could not compete with the intense high created by “The Statement.” Perhaps Walerski chose the gentle Piano Quintet in A Minor Op. 14 by Camille Saint-Saens so as not to compare but unfortunately, though pretty, the piece falls flat. A white drop is the simple background on an otherwise empty stage. It rises to reveal ten dancers in second skin, flesh tone unitards. I believe Mr. Walerski’s intent was to illustrate with the bodies of these dancers the intricate overlay of instrumentation within the music. This is a good idea that has been used successfully in other work but here we lose the thread. The dancers break in and out of groups forming trios, duo’s and solos much of it happening simultaneously, which dilutes rather than enhances the score. The steps are repetitious and even the solos are indistinguishable from one to the other. The performers who appeared so accomplished earlier struggle with the contemporary, balletic choreography here. Mistakes were made, balance was shaky and in general there was a lack of cohesion or perhaps a lack of rehearsal. With no discernable connection to “Garden” this piece never rose to the sky but instead stayed sadly earthbound.
Ballet BC in “Garden” choreographed by Medhi Walerski – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
Sound design is by Pierre Pontvianne. Lighting and Stage Design is by Theun Mosk in association with James Proudfoot and the unattractive costumes are by Medhi Walerski and Joke Visser.
The hardworking dancers are Anna Bekirova, Livona Ellis, Miriam Gttens, Kiana Jung, Sarah Pippin, Evan Rapaport, Justin Rapaport, Rae Sriastava, Jacob Williams and Zenon Zubyk.
Overall Ballet BC has what it takes to be a first-rate company. With the new residency at The Soraya it will be exciting to see how they develop and what new works they will bring to the stage for our viewing pleasure.
To learn more about Ballet BC, please visit their website.
To learn more about what is playing at The Soraya, please visit their website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ballet BC – Anna Bekirova, Livona Ellis, Justin Rapaport and Rae Srivastava in “The Statement” choreography by Chrystal Pite – Photo by Luis Luque, The Soraya
