Forget those
disgusting “reality” shows: our impressive Survivor,
Rochester City Ballet, completed its spring season continuing to dance
splendidly. Artistic Director Jamey Leverett choreographed two new works: Gershwin in the Park and Pedestal: For Tim, both danced
beautifully. Pedestal, a tribute to
RCB founder Tim Draper, proved that Leverett has maintained Draper’s high
standards. In fact, Leverett’s enduringly appealing Respect and Draper & Leverett’s complete story-ballet, Firebird, looked better than ever.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Firebird‘s
production design has elegant additions. Next year’s Nutcracker will have an opulent redesign. Repertory and engagements
are expanding. The Draper Center and RCB have new facilities and bold plans.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย New young stars look as promising as
those who are now in great ballet companies formerly did with RCB. Pedestal starred Sari Ostrum, back from
performing with American Ballet Theatre, and Jonathan Davidsson, who just won a
full scholarship to England’s Royal Ballet. With a year of high school to go,
young Davidsson looks like a future premier
danseur: noble, musical, and refined. Ostrum still has spectacular developpes and penche arabesques, but has matured into a more expressive beauty.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Hayley Meier’s dazzling pointe-work
as the Firebird rivals that of ballerinas in major companies, and her
performance has genuine star quality. Adam Kittelberger was her (and Ostrum’s)
attentive partner in Firebird and the
Gershwin piece. In the Alvin Ailey-like Respect, Katie Lally’s multiple turns drew gasps and she and Davidsson won
applause in their duet. Chelsea Bonosky had a sexy authority beyond her years
in “Do Right Woman.” And Ballet Master Brian Norris danced strongly, looking as
young as his students.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The
Bronze Idol, a famed, classic demi-caractere solo from Petipa’s La Bayadere, was a
perfect choice to show off the extraordinary virtuosity of little, young Jim
Nowakoski, who performed it like a bravura male star. I hope he gets a chance
to knock out the international judges of a world ballet competition performing
this dance.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Certainly, Bronze Idol, Respect, and
Firebird are ready to be seen on tour
with this company. Even the little kids dancing creatures, dragonflies,
butterflies, and whatnot in Firebird attacked their roles with precision and energy and looked perfectly rehearsed.
How appropriate these titles are. This is the best ballet company in western
New York State. Their performances look nothing like school recitals. They
deserve support and admiration from this community.
This article appears in May 19-25, 2004.
