For starters, I have not been to a ballet show in over five years. To begin, the show was a pleasant diversion from the more traditional or romantic feel that ballet companies typically feel compelled to offer around Valentine’s Day.
The production could be seen to be “infectious mix of jazz and gospel” and features three new works by some of today’s most sought after choreographers.
The works included Tuplet, featuring choreography by Alexander Ekman; Elemental Brubeck, featuring choreography by Lar Lubovitch, celebrating Dave Brubeck’s 100th Birthday; and Sunrise Divine, with choreography by Dwight Rowden and music from the Spelman Glee Club, directed by Dr. Kevin Johnson.
The idea of using ballet and gospel music is pretty inspiring. Wedging those genres together was a great blend and it wasn’t something that I knew I wanted to see. Maybe for an expert critic, there could have been many flaws in this work, but I couldn’t find many.
From my perspective, I feel that it is safe to say that the heart/beat Atlanta Ballet was a great exposé. This was not your classical ballet, more so contemporary, modern, or free movement ballet, if you will. Besides that, I would want to sit down with the choreographer because the movements that was associated with the jazz music did not aligning, nor did it make sense in some cases.
Like previously said, although much different than the traditional ballet shows offered during Valentines Day weekend, miles away from “Swan Lake” or “Romeo and Juliet,” thee “jazzy, gospel-inflected slant on ballet” was still a perfect for Valentine’s weekend and family weekend.
