Dance Preview: ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET (on tour at The Soraya in Northridge)

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by Tony Frankel on April 3, 2018

in Dance,Theater-Los Angeles,Tours

NOW YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SANTA FE

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) celebrates the third year of its four-year residency at The Soraya with a program of three works that celebrate the company’s commitment to creating new contemporary dance. The entire evening, which plays only once — this Saturday April 7, 2018 at 8 — will be performed to live piano by the remarkable and indefatigable Joyce Yang, who I have seen in recital and can attest to her remarkable virtuosity.

The program is from an outstanding trio of 21st century dance makers: A new work by Jorma Elo, one of dance’s most sought-after choreographers; a piece from Jiří Kylián — who continues to be a trailblazer and inspiration in the dance world; and Nicolo Fonte — a favorite of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

Half/Cut/Split
Choreography: Jorma Elo
Music: Robert Schumann
Lighting Design: Seah Johnson
Costume Design: Nete Joseph
Dancers: Sadie Brown, Jenelle Figgins, Seia Rassenti Watson,
Evan Supple, Anthony Tiedeman, Joseph Watson

Where We Left Off
ASFB Commissioned Work
Choreography: Nicolo Fonte
Music: Mad Rush, Metamorphosis No. 2 by Philip Glass
Costume Design: Mark Zappone
Lighting Design: Seah Johnson
Staging: Emily Franc
Dancers: Katherine Bolaños, Sadie Brown, Emily Franc, Anna Gerberich, Seia Rassenti Watson, Austin Reynolds, Evan Supple, Anthony Tiedeman, Pete Leo Walker, Joseph Watson
Premiere: February 11, 2011, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Aspen CO

Return to a Strange Land
Choreography, Costume and Décor: Jiří Kylián
Music:  Leoš Janáček
Lighting Design: Kees Tjebbes
Staging: Jeanne Solan
Dancers: Katherine Bolaños, Anna Gerberich, Evan Supple, Anthony Tiedeman,
Pete Leo Walker, Joseph Watson
World Premiere: May 17, 1975, Stuttgart Ballet

I especially look forward to the latter. Born in 1947, Kylián is, remarkably enough, rarely seen in L.A. — as opposed to Chicago and New York, where this most singular modern dance creator appears with regularity. After dancing with the Stuttgart Ballet, his uniqueness got the attention of Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), where, in 1973, he began choreographing for the inestimable outfit. Although he stepped down as artistic director around 2000, he remains house choreographer for the wonderful company, which has gained international fame for pushing boundaries in contemporary dance with its bold repertory and astonishing virtuosity. His Sleepless was a highlight of ASFB’s last appearance at The Soraya.

photos by Michele Cardamone

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
The Soraya
(The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts)
CSUN (California State University, Northridge)
18111 Nordhoff Street in Northridge
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8
for tickets, call 818.677.3000 or visit The Soraya
for more tour dates and cities, visit Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

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