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As in previous years, there's a full-length (R and J) plus several programs of shorter, contemporary ballets, the Nutcracker, and the dancers' own choreographic workshop performances.
* = company premiere
** = world premiere
Eissey Theater (I) -- November 4-6, 2005
-- Bartok Concerto (Ben Stevenson)
-- After Dark, double pas de deux (Mauricio Wainrot)
-- The Envelope (David Parsons)
-- Gemini (Vicente Nebrada)
-- Super Straight is Coming Down (Daniel Ezralow)
Kravis Center -- December 23-28, 2005
-- Marie Hale's The Nutcracker
Kravis Center (I) -- February 3-4, 2006
-- * Rite of Spring (Mauricio Wainrot)
-- * Bella (Dominic Walsh)
-- ** Five Poems (Ben Stevenson)
Kravis Center (II) -- March 17-18, 2006
-- Romeo and Juliet (Vicente Nebrada)
Eissey Theater (II) -- May 6-8, 2006
-- * I Remember Clifford (Twyla Tharp)
-- Bakers Dozen (Tharp)
-- ...Smile with my Heart (Lar Lubovitch)
-- Second Before the Ground (Trey McIntyre)
Eissey Theater -- June 23-24, 2006
--Step Ahead (Ballet Florida's Choreographic Workshop)
After having had serious financial and administrative problems last year, as well as surviving 2 hurricanes which damaged their headquarters, the company seems to be reorganizing, with a new Executive Director and a million-dollar grant from two benefactors.
Ballet Florida describes itself as a Classical and Contemporary Dance Company. The training and classes are ballet-based, but the reperatory is primary cross-over or modern. Attempts to do classical works -- Balanchine, Le Corsaire, and even Sean Lavery -- don't always fare too well. On the other hand, the late Vicente Nebrada's ballet-lite choreography works pretty effectively for a company attempting the large-scale Romeo and Juliet. The company's special relationship with Ben Stevenson (who helped them set his Dracula last year and has a few ballets in each season) continues. The Envelope is a repeat from last season, when it was done without the bite, speed or crispness of previous years. They've done a lot better with this work before. It's a crowd-pleaser, as are the Tharps and the Trey McIntire.
At their best, this is a winning and energetic company which does interesting work and makes it look like fun. Their Step Ahead program -- 10 or more dances choreographed by members of the company -- is always exciting. The only personnel change reported so far is the retirement of the elegant and versatile dancer, Christina Hampton. She'll be missed, and I hope they seek to fill her toe shoes with someone with a similarly strong classical gift.
Edited by bart, 06 April 2005 - 07:53 PM.
