Weather smiles on Rhythm on the River
REVIEW
This summer, rain intruded on several outdoor arts events in central Ohio, including the Columbus Symphony’s performance of Symphony No. 9 and the Lancaster Festival’s presentation of the Mavericks ( the latter of which was canceled).
On the basis of BalletMet’s Friday performance in Bicentennial Park, however, the weather gods must be fans of pirouettes and plies.
Friday night, clear skies and cool breezes provided the perfect accompaniment for Rhythm on the River, a program of short dances including several extracts from upcoming shows.
The performance began with a selection from the Snow Scene in “The Nutcracker.”
A corps of willowy ballerinas supported the strong lead dancers, Jessica Brown and Jarrett Reimers. Even the decidedly un-snowy late-summer atmosphere could not dampen Tchaikovsky’s score, though — with the recent death of actor Roger Moore — it is perhaps time to retire his stentorian recorded narration.
Next up was a passage of Scottish folk dancing from “La Sylphide,” one of five pieces to feature students of the BalletMet Dance Academy. Impressively coached by new academy director Maria Torija, the dancers- in- training brought crispness and energy to their segment.
Students in the Ohio State University Department of Dance took to the stage for Merce Cunningham’s “MinEvent” (part of the October program “Parallel Connections,” featuring dancers from both BalletMet and OSU).
The work, set to composer John Cage’s “Imaginary Landscape No. 2,” added a welcome note of rigorous modern dance to the bill. As the music built from a low rumble to a thunderous roar, the OSU dancers transitioned from slow, almost still movements to more explosive choreography.
More conventionally satisfying was an extended sequence from Artistic Director Edwaard Liang’s “Dorothy and the Prince of Oz,” set to make its BalletMet debut in May.
Friday’s performers were ideally cast in their roles: Caitlin Valentine- Ellis was a guileless Dorothy; Michael Sayre, a courtly Prince; Lisset Santander, an imperious Glinda; and Jim Nowakowski, an agile Scarecrow.
The production promises to be a knockout: Last night, the Glazunov-based music was glorious and the costumes elaborate.