MATTHEW MURPHY American Ballet Theatre New York, NY USA BIO | POSTS

Fortunately, for everyone involved, getting into City Center on Saturday night felt less like the running of the bulls and more like a civilized entrance for a night at the theater. All of the problems from opening night, where the ticket takers were awkwardly adjusting to the new use of electronic scanning, seemed a distant memory and the show started a fashionable ten minutes past eight. The crowd was just as rapturous as ever, eager to soak up great dancing at bargain prices that make you question whether you were transported back to the seventies, when theater was affordable.

Like most of the Fall for Dance programs that I’ve attended, Saturday night had its fair share of hits and misses but on a whole I enjoyed this program more than Wednesday’s opening. This time I had my stunning sister as a date, but due to my early departure I failed to get a picture. So you’re forced to deal with my program covered face for this post.

The night started with a performance by four women all the way from France courtesy of the Lyon Opera Ballet. Using the word “ballet” in the group’s name is a little deceiving, as “Grosse Fugue” was in every describable way, modern dance. The women, wearing variations of red dresses, used every inch of the space, at first keeping to themselves before erupting in some glorious unison movement. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the classical Beethoven music to the rough around the edges movement. At times all four women planted themselves face flat on the floor, slowly pulling themselves forward by small movements of their arms and legs. Just as quickly, they would be up and leaping to the corners of the stage. The choreography by Maguy Marin, was unique and very musical, at times taking my breath away with the unpredictable canons. It was the type of surprise that I wait for when I step into City Center.

Mats Ek was up next, with a U.S. Premiere of “Memory,” a touching duet performed by himself and Ana Laguna. Both are a little older than you would typically expect from dancers and I must admit that when the curtain came up to reveal a few set pieces recreating an apartment, I was dubious. The two dancers stood in silence at the back corner by a lamp as Ek picked Laguna up in a forceful embrace. She turned to leave and he followed her off the stage in silence. When they returned moments later, we’d been transported to the past as they playfully danced around the stage, using the various set pieces (rolling desk chair, TV stand, mattress) as extensions of their own bodies. My description isn’t really doing it justice, but it was a really fantastic and original piece. At the end of the piece, the couple stood in the same place they began and Ek embraced her once again. This time she exited and Ek simply turned off the light and went to lie down. It was great moment of dramatic dance that sent a ripple of chills through the audience.

Those two pieces were by far my favorite pieces on the program. Johan Kobborg closed out the first half with a new version of “Afternoon of a Faun.” He contorted his body, with fluid arm movements highlighted by spotlights, beautifully but it wasn’t quite my taste. The opening of the second act was a world premiere by Tango Connection called “Tango del Sur.” I must admit that I’m not really informed enough to make any judgments about Tango technique, but it seemed like some of the dancers weren’t holding their arm frame as sturdy as it should have been. I wasn’t crazy about the structure of the piece either, alternating between large group sections and duets. There was some great live music though, and a wonderful number sung by Roxana Fontan that everyone seemed to love. I also have to admit that by this point in the evening, I wasn’t feeling very well (a combination of being emotional seeing dance when I can’t dance, and just my virus acting up) so I was having a hard time focusing. When the curtain came down, I quickly grabbed my things and bolted out of the theater before the last piece began.

Hopefully my next two visits, on Wednesday and Thursday, will find me feeling a bit healthier so I can report on the full evening. I’ve got an exciting surprise guest coming with me on Thursday so get ready! Until then…