Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – City Ballet is in superb form in AMERICANA x FIVE program

• By drediman
• October 5, 2015
• No Comments

Yesterday, in a program entitled Americana x Five, I paid my first visit back to City Ballet since a captivating performance of Swan Lake led by a stunning Sara Mearns two weeks ago. The verdict? City Ballet continues to be in spectacularly fine form. After a teaser of an opening act (comprised of Peter Martins’ “Ash”, Richard Tanner’s “Sonatas and Interludes”, and George Balanchine’s “Tarantella”), the audience was treated to superb performances of “‘Rōdē,ō” by the “it” choreographer of the moment, Justin Peck, and Balanchine’s “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” from the Rogers and Hart musical, On Your Toes.

It was my second time seeing Mr. Peck’s joyous “‘Rōdē,ō” since it premiered earlier this year, and my feelings about it haven’t changed. In fact, I now feel more confidently than ever that it is a modern classic. Set to the optimistic music of Aaron Copland (which he originally wrote for Agnes de Mille’s historic ballet, “Rodeo”), the ballet is made of up four inspired, brilliantly constructed choreographic movements. On this second viewing, it was the second movement, with its searching series of haunting, aching stage pictures, which impressed me the most. Although the luxurious, sensuous Sara Mearns danced the sole female part yesterday, I couldn’t help thinking that the refreshingly straightforward and sprightly Tiler Peck, who dances two out of the four performances of this ballet this season, is the more ideal fit. I can’t wait to see this ballet again and hope that it becomes one of company’s signature pieces.

For the final act, the company danced the crowd-pleasing “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue”, and it did not disappoint. Robert Fairchild, who is currently starring in the Broadway hit An American in Paris, is back for a few performances this fall season. Ironically, he’s performing in Balanchine’s “Slaughter”, a ballet that’s been extracted from a Broadway show (the previously mentioned On Your Toes). This piece is tricky. Although the choreography isn’t difficult, it has the potential to look tired and flat if the cast isn’t committed to its musical comedy universe. This was not the case yesterday; the performance was crisp and energetic. Mr. Fairchild once again proved that he may be our modern-day Gene Kelly. The long-limbed Teresa Reichlen, who has always struck me in the past as being careful dancer, let loose in the Striptease Girl part, and it was exciting to watch.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

NEW YORK CITY BALLET: AMERICANA x FIVE
Dance
David H. Koch Theater
2 hours, 20 minutes (with two intermissions)
One more performance on October 7