Choreographing the unexpected
One of George Balanchine’s great ballets, “Serenade,” grew organically out of a lesson in stage technique. When unplanned things happened — when a student showed up late, when another dancer fell — Balanchine chose to work the incidents into his choreography.
“Serenade” became the first original ballet that the legendary Balanchine created in the U.S. It debuted in 1934, is set to music by Tchaikovsky, and became one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory.
Eastern Connecticut Ballet will perform excerpts from “Serenade” as part of its Spring Showcase this weekend at Valley Regional High School in Deep River.
Gloria Govrin, who was a principal dancer at New York City Ballet under Balanchine’s leadership and who is now artistic director of Eastern Connecticut Ballet in East Lyme, says, “This ballet is the very definition of dance and the reason I became a dancer. Sharing this beautiful ballet with my students is a joyful experience. I am reliving those feelings through them. I still get those goosebumps and feel the crescendo in the music. It makes me want to dance again.”
Also part of the Spring Showcase performance on Saturday will be class pieces from ECB’s Level 1-7 pre-professional ballet program, modern pieces and “Delibes Waltz” by Govrin. Sunday will feature company works and a young children’s ballet, “Barn Dance,” with Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s youngest dancers. “Serenade” will be danced both days. Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Spring Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River; $25 for adults, $18 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under on an adult’s lap; easternctballet.org.