On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the Irvine Barclay Theatre stage was alive with twelve diverse and extremely well-trained dancers of the Philadelphia based BalletX; dancers who can only be described as extraordinary. Founded in 2005 by Artistic and Executive Director Christine Cox and dancer choreographer Matthew Neenan, BalletX is known for commissioning new and innovative works from around the world. On this night, the program included works by these choreographers:
• Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck
• Former member of BalletX, Caili Quan
• Artistic Director of Imagery Contemporary Ballet Company, Amy Seiwert
• Resident Choreographer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jamar Roberts
• Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company, Jennifer Archibald
The program’s success and the much deserved standing ovation by the audience was primarily due to the brilliance of the performances by dancers Eli Alford, Shawn Cusseaux, Francisca Forcella, Savannah Green, Annika Kuo, Jared Kelly, Skyler Lubin, Jonathan Montepara, Jerard Palazo, Ben Schwarz, Ashley Simpson, and Andrea Yorita along with the exquisite lighting by Michael Korsch, Drew Billiau, Brandon Stirling Baker and Alyssandra Docherty. This group of dancers appear young and vibrant and able to take on any dance style placed before them. Their one area that did not excel in was performing in unison. More rehearsal time would, of course, solve that problem.
BalletX dancers in Tiler Peck’s UMOJA – Photo by Skye Schmidt
Tiler Peck’s UMOJA (Swahili for unity) was a treat for the eyes and the ten performers obviously enjoyed dancing this work. Peck has learned much from the numerous choreographers she has worked with at New York City Ballet and beyond, and like her dancing, the choreography is very musical. Set to music by the same title, Umoja, an Anthem of Unity by Valerie Coleman, the curtain rises to the ten dancers grouped together in the shape of a gorgeous flower. As it opens, the stage is filled with solos, duets, beautifully structured groupings and a sophisticated understanding of layered structuring.
Peck put a new twist on familiar ballet lifts and partnering, making them appear new. Often when all ten dancers were onstage, there were two or three different groupings that gelled together, transforming Coleman’s music into visual movement, music that has an Americana feel, bringing to mind composer Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and “Rodeo.” Umoja is strictly a dance movement piece, one that evokes a sense of joy.
The cast of Umoja included Cusseaux, Forcella, Green, Kelly, Lubin, Montepara, Palazo, Schwarz, Simpson, and Yorita. The lighting design that enhanced the feeling of openness was by Korsch, and the beautiful and colorful costumes were by Martha Chamberlain.
BalletX dancers Shawn Cusseaux and Andrea Yorita in Caili Quan’s FANCY ME – Photo by Skye Schmidt
Caili Quan’s FANCY ME was short and sweet, joyously performed in social dance costumes and sneakers by Shawn Cusseaux and the delightful Andrea Yorita to New Orleans soul singer and songwriter King Floyd’s “Groove Me.” While fun to watch these two performers get down and funky, the work did not provide a unique look at showcasing social dance on stage or to the female/male relationship. Entertaining, yes and it brought a smile to my face, but the work faded from my mind as quickly as it did onstage.
The Lighting Designer for Fancy Me was Alyssandra Docherty. No credit was listed for costume design.
BalletX – Skyler Lubin and Jonathan Montepara in Amy Seiwert’s, IT’S NOT A CRY – Photo by Skye Schmidt
Choreographed by Amy Seiwert, IT’S NOT A CRY did not reach the heights of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song “Hallelujah”, covered here by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeff Buckley. Again, the dancers (Lubin and Montepara) saved the work with their almost flawless performance. I often ask why choreographers insert a hard to maneuver partnering phrase or a classroom version of a jeté (leap) in the middle of portraying a serious relationship between two people. It comes across as a television drama interrupted by a long-running commercial. This is not a poorly crafted duet, far from it. Seiwert definitely knows how to put a dance together, but this work lacked depth.
The Lighting Designer for It’s Not a Cry was by Drew Billiau and the Costume Designer was Amy Seiwert.
BalletX dancers (l-R) Ben Schwarz, Andrea Yorita, Ashley Simpson, and Jared Kelly in Jamar Roberts’ HONEY – Photo by Sky Schmidt
With the exception of its third duet, HONEY choreographed by Jamar Roberts, suffered from a similar lack of gravity as did Seiwert’s work. Set to songs by American classical and jazz pianist and composer Don Shirley what “soul” was visible in the first two duets was created by the performers’ acting abilities and Shirley’s music. Somehow, Roberts channeled his inner artist to create an exquisite final duet in Honey. This duet was a feast of movement instigated by very subtle but inventive arm movements and the relationship between the two was not hidden beneath an overabundance of intricate choreography.
The cast of Honey included Cusseaux, Forcella, Kelly, Schwarz, Simpson, and Yorita. The Lighting Designer was Korsch and costumes were by Mark Eric.
BalletX dancers in Jennifer Archibald’s EXALT – Photo by Skye Schmidt
The second half of the evening’s program featured Jennifer Archibald’s EXALT set to an array of music styles that came close to overpowering the dancers brilliant performances. Archibald’s choreography is extremely difficult to execute and Exalt is a perfect program closer and showcases this company’s talent. It is a dance that brought the Irvine Barclay Theatre audience to their feet with shouts of bravo, but again, it is the dancers who earned the applause and olés.
Archibald’s choreography has a similar business to Alonzo King’s work for LINES Ballet Company and Dwight Rhoden’s for Complexions; two prominent and acclaimed choreographers of this era in contemporary dance. What I see too much of in these works is the complexity of the choreography. It is showmanship vs. art. This company is, however, more than worthwhile going to see, and I look forward to doing so soon. I do wish for more meat on those creative bones.
The cast of EXALT was Shawn Cusseaux, Francesca Forcella, Savannah Green, Jared Kelly, Skyler Lubin, Jonathan Montepara, Jerard Palazo, Ben Schwarz, Ashley Simpson, Andrea Yorita. The Lighting Designer was Brandon Stirling Baker and Costume Designer was Olivia Mason.
For more information about BalletX, please visit their website.
For information on the 2022-2023 performance season at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: BalletX dancers in Jamar Roberts’ HONEY – Photo by Skye Schmidt
