By Stephanie R. White
Audience members fortunate enough to attend the one-night showing of Ballet Hispánico’s performance at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah were quick to jump to their feet in an ovation for being part of an incredible human experience. What a gift they received in seeing these amazing artists perform three separate pieces of purely passionate dancing.
Ballet Hispánico is a New York based company whose primary goal is “to give voice to the Hispanic experience and break through stereotypes.” Their work fuses ballet and modern technique with everything from Flamenco to traditional folk dance. From a simple rotation of the wrist to an effortless partner lift, the company’s skill and strength was made apparent. No wonder there was a 15-minute intermission after every number.
The dancers performed three numbers from their repertoire; Linea Recta (choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, costumes by Danielle Truss and lighting by Michael Mazzola), Con Brazos Abiertos (choreography by Michelle Manzanales, costumes by Diana Ruettiger, and lighting by Joshua Preson), and Catorce Dieciseis (choreography by Tania Perez-Salas, costumes by Amanda Gladu, and lighting by Bob Franklin). Two things that stood out to me throughout the evening were the clever and inventive use of props and costume as well as the interesting lighting design.
In Linea Recta, the soloist wore a Flamenco-esque red dress that extended ten feet in the back. The dancer and partners manipulated the dress so that it almost became an appendage of the dancer. The work was flawless in transferring the dress to the next partner. Fans were used in another section of the dance, which highlighted tempo changes and emotion. The white silk skirts used in Con Brazos Abiertos were stunning. All dancers wore the skirts and filled the stage with a sea of white. My favorite part of the evening was a solo where the dancer manipulates a sombrero hat as we hear the words, “it’s exhausting” and the movement portrays the struggle of trying to survive in a new world while maintaining the traditions of the old. Poignant.
Throughout the evening, the lighting design perfectly captured the essence of each number. Focus for the soloists, moving lights as dancers moved from upstage to down, just enough light for silhouette work – all effects that took us to the next level.
As for the dancing? Precision with passion. There were gasps from the audience when new and unique partnering work occurred. The use of body percussion and even vocals were effective emotional tools. Such control from the dancers – whether it was a sustained arabesque or a ‘mock two’ port de bras, all movement defined the incredible talent of the company.
My one regret for this performance was that the house wasn’t full to capacity. If Ballet Hispánico comes to your area of the world, make certain to experience the incredible artistry and talent of this company.
CacheARTS Presents Ballet Hispánico
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 South Main Street, Logan UT 84321
March 18, 2019, 7:30 PM
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Ballet Hispánico Facebook Page
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