Lauren's Locales: Unique Ballet Performed
By Lauren Bonney
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are lucky to be surrounded by fantastic and accessible forms of art. From galleries to exhibits to performances, the Santa Clara community is downright spoiled rotten. A fabulous example of local performance is the Smuin Ballet Company.
Now wrapping up their 19th season, the Smuin Ballet Company is a fresh take on classical ballet. The company was founded in 1994 by Michael Smuin in an attempt to showcase the creative versatility found within his choreography. Smuin brought a signature style to his work, blending theatrical, classical and popular elements drawn from his vast stage experience.
The Smuin Ballet Company just began their third and final ballet of the season, entitled "Spring Bouquet." This unique performance perfectly demonstrates Smuin's vision in a beautifully blended bouquet of ballet.
The first part of the show, "Chants d'Auvernage," is a pastoral series of dances. They are romantic and playful vignettes that remind the audience of the more classical realm of ballet.
After a brief intermission, the ballet shifts from a traditional to a contemporary look at spring. "Petal" is a completely different side of ballet; dancers float across the stage in one seamless movement. On stage, there is never complete stillness, and the only way the audience recognizes a transition is the brief and almost imperceptible change in the music. The set is a bright and visually-stunning creation where dancers are able to explore dance in a whole new way.
The final piece of the program is "Jazzin'," a fun and sassy look at dance from decades of great jazz. Each dance has a flavor of its own and incorporates unbelievable pointe work as well as some finger-snapping good attitude.
The set is a fantastic look at ballet's adaptability as the dancers shift from classical to modern. "Jazzin'" is the perfect ending to the Spring Showcase and leaves the audience wanting more.
This spring, Smuin presents a delightful new take on an old classic and should not be missed.
Contact Lauren Bonney at lbonney@scu.edu.