photo: Eric Saulitis
While the James Sewell Ballet has earned widespread acclaim for innovative dance that consistently amazes with extraordinary displays of daring physicality, the company’s January 29th – February 1stengagement at the Southern Theater will mark their first performance on the revered stage. In order to make a grand first impression, the James Sewell Ballet has (through sponsorship from the Jerome Foundation) crafted a richly diverse showcase of styles choreographed in four parts by accomplished dancers Penelope Freeh, Nicolas Lincoln, Sally Rousse, and Morgan Thorson. Further program details, provided by the Southern, follow:
Penelope Freeh’s Simple Folk is a quartet danced to traditional folk songs arranged by Beethoven. Characters emerge inspired by the subject of the songs which include a drunken trio, war torn lovers, a small town massacre and a birthday party. Sections will link via props that will be carried over and re-contextualized.
The movement in Nicolas Lincoln’s Yearnings was inspired by collages he created himself. The piece was originally set to a random mix of electro-music. Its current score is a live feed from an internet radio station plus live percussion.
Sally Rousse brings the rarely seen classic ballet Petrouchka to the Southern Theater stage. She uses her own quirky style to redesign this story about puppets coming to life and falling in love.
Anthropology and eschatology meet efficiency as JSB commissions Morgan Thorson to create a new dance for the company in only 9 rehearsals. Thorson will study the dynamics between the dancers, instigate energetic communion, and streamline the results into 7 minutes of unknowable ecstasy.
Considering the James Sewell Ballet’s reputation as the premiere institution for the development of thrilling ballet arrangements, the company’s appearance at the Southern is long overdue. With such boundless potential inherent in the pairing, here’s hoping this production is merely the beginning of a long-term, mutually rewarding collaboration.
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