3 replies to this topic

[dirac]

I'm seeing "Anna Karenina" next week. Is anyone else planning to attend? I think the troupe is there through the following Sunday, but I don't know the exact dates.

[dirac]

I saw it last night and I hope to have time to report tomorrow. Nobody else there??

[pj]

Moving ahead to 2007.....

My husband and I combined a business trip to the bay area and a just for fun trip and we saw "The Seagull" on Weds. night at Zellerbach Hall. We have previously seen also "Anna Karenina" in L.A.

Mr. Eifman has toyed with the Chekov play to make it more ballet related, but retained the play's themes and has come up with a fun production. One of the more memorable scenes was when the entire corps broke out in hip hop style (and costumes) and seemed to have a lot of fun. It was very interesting seeing some of those very tall dancers doing hip hop. There were some shorter dancers that were actually very proficient at this particular genre (actually, I can't imagine an Eifman dancer not being proficient at anything they choose to do -- this company is so versatile, energetic and talented).

Because there were really no program notes that explained the entire story as envisioned by Eifman, it would be good for anyone attending a performance to familiarize themselves with the Chekov play and go to the performance knowing the themes of the play, but keeping an open mind as to the actual playing-out of those themes. There were a number of audience members that were left scratching their heads, and asking "But where is Nina?"

Although this ballet doesn't have the dramatic impact that was shown in "Anna Karenina," I think that most ballet people will enjoy it. The dancing is beyond phenomenal, and there are many interesting ideas presented (and open to your own personal interepretation, of course). My husband (the engineering brain) particularly enjoyed the design and functioning of the sets (including lighting).

[Burl Willes]

Moving ahead to 2007.....

My husband and I combined a business trip to the bay area and a just for fun trip and we saw "The Seagull" on Weds. night at Zellerbach Hall. We have previously seen also "Anna Karenina" in L.A.

Mr. Eifman has toyed with the Chekov play to make it more ballet related, but retained the play's themes and has come up with a fun production. One of the more memorable scenes was when the entire corps broke out in hip hop style (and costumes) and seemed to have a lot of fun. It was very interesting seeing some of those very tall dancers doing hip hop. There were some shorter dancers that were actually very proficient at this particular genre (actually, I can't imagine an Eifman dancer not being proficient at anything they choose to do -- this company is so versatile, energetic and talented).

Because there were really no program notes that explained the entire story as envisioned by Eifman, it would be good for anyone attending a performance to familiarize themselves with the Chekov play and go to the performance knowing the themes of the play, but keeping an open mind as to the actual playing-out of those themes. There were a number of audience members that were left scratching their heads, and asking "But where is Nina?"

Although this ballet doesn't have the dramatic impact that was shown in "Anna Karenina," I think that most ballet people will enjoy it. The dancing is beyond phenomenal, and there are many interesting ideas presented (and open to your own personal interepretation, of course). My husband (the engineering brain) particularly enjoyed the design and functioning of the sets (including lighting).

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