Treefrog Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 Sid Smith in the Chicago Tribune had this to say over the weekend: 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? Link to comment
zerbinetta Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 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!!! Link to comment
carbro Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 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. Link to comment
Treefrog Posted January 3, 2005 Author Share Posted January 3, 2005 Thank you! I had already planned to go, and now I will do so with even more excitement. Link to comment
zerbinetta Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 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. Link to comment
carbro Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 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. Link to comment
Treefrog Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 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! Link to comment
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