6 replies to this topic

[Treefrog]

Sid Smith in the Chicago Tribune had this to say over the weekend:

Quote

James Sewell Ballet: This celebrated American company, hailed as an exquisite gem, makes it Chicago area debut, small-scale specialists in neoclassicism, with works including "Lover," set to Rodgers and Hart. Feb. 11 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie; 847-673-6300.

A search on the board has yielded many links to published reviews (I think Smith's "gem" reference comes from Anna Kisselgoff).  Has anyone here seen this company?  Know anything about it?

[zerbinetta]

Treefrog, on Jan 3 2005, 10:54 AM, said:

Has anyone here seen this company?  Know anything about it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, Treefrog, I have seen the company & urge you to go at least once, if there is more than one performance.

I have been privileged to see James Sewell's choreography from the very first piece he did, perhaps 20 years ago. It was a pas de deux based on the Abelard & Heloise story. He danced it with Zippora Karz at SAB while they were still students there. Lincoln Kirstein was very supportive of James' work.

James is perhaps the most all-around talented young choreographer working today. He can do sad, happy, serious, comical, thought-provoking & just plain delightful. The company is strong & disciplined & totally in tune with James' creativity & rare musical gifts.

HIGHLY recommended!!!

[carbro]

I will second the general thrust of Zerbinetta's recommendation.  I, too, saw some of James' early choreography (but not the A&H pdd) and was struck by his inventiveness and his musicality.  NOW, you may be thinking that inventiveness means gimmicks.  This is the great reward of Sewell's work -- he doesn't show his cleverness ostentatiously.  It's just part of the integrated whole of the work.

During the company's appearance at the Joyce here last year, the closing work -- the weak spot -- on the program was overtly experimental.  Still, the intelligence behind it was always evident, and even that made for interesting, if not exactly enjoyable, watching.

Go.

[Treefrog]

Thank you!  I had already planned to go, and now I will do so with even more excitement.

[zerbinetta]

Treefrog, on Jan 3 2005, 04:42 PM, said:

Thank you!  I had already planned to go, and now I will do so with even more excitement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Treefrog: please let us have a report after you go.

Carbro: was the last piece the one with Sally Rousse (Mrs. Sewell) on film, 8-3/4 months pregnant, playing Sylph to the onstage cast? I LOVED that piece; thought it was hilarious & weirdly sweet.

[carbro]

zerbinetta, on Jan 4 2005, 12:29 AM, said:

Carbro: was the last piece the one with Sally Rousse (Mrs. Sewell) on film, 8-3/4 months pregnant, playing Sylph to the onstage cast? I LOVED that piece; thought it was hilarious & weirdly sweet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the one!  It was engrossing, but for me too puzzling to be satisfying.  But I guess that for some folks, that works on its own level.

[Treefrog]

AARGH.  The proverbial monkey has thrown the proverbial wrench in my plans.  I may have other claims on my time.  But, rest assured, if I can go I'll report back!