Friday night's triple bill at Cobb Energy Centre was nothing less than spectacular. The Atlanta Ballet is rapidly becoming one of my all-time favorite ballet companies, and I have seen many in my day. Several dancers have emerged as favorites, but all are more than capable of dancing leading roles, and there is no "star system" in this company.
Sinfonietta Giocosa was a Balanchine-esque piece choreographed by Christopher Hampson. Vaguely reminiscent of my favorite ballet of all time, Concerto Barocco, the simple costumes, the stark set (an empty stage with a simple lighting change between movements) and bold, athletic choreography, created a contemporary classic visual treat. Standouts in the piece were the ever-effervescent Kristine Necessary, the magnificent Christian Clark; a delightful duet with resident blonde beauties Anne Tyler Harshbarger and Christine Winkler; a strong male cast featuring David Blumenfeld, Jacob Bush, Brian Wallenberg and John Welker; and a pas de trois featuring newcomer Alessa Rogers. Jonah Hooper continues to impress me after his amazing turn as Dracula. And, always outstanding were Tara Lee, Courtney Necessary, Taylor Gill, rounding out the female cast.
"The Firebird" is The John McFall-choreographed vehicle created for Christine Winkler and John Welker. The powerful Stravinsky score creates the perfect backdrop for this delicious abstract piece.
I understand that dancer-choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie visited the company for just three weeks, on loan from his Broadway run in Billy Elliot. In that short time, he created "Boiling Point", my favorite piece of the evening. While every piece in this program was demanding on the dancers, this was even more so. Athletic, dynamic, powerful, acrobatic, and aggressive are all adjectives that describe the dancing in this piece. Christian Clark's backbend-to-the-floor motion, as fluid as water, was sheer brilliance. The teeny-tiny Peng-Yu Chen was like a bullet shot from a gun, and the gorgeous Kelly Tipton carries herself like ballet royalty, while executing rapidfire moves that dazzled the audience.
Go and see The Atlanta Ballet if you have the chance. I am very much looking forward to Don Quixote and Snow White, in May.
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