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American Ballet Theatre, Esperanza Spalding jazz up OC Performing Arts
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Maria Riccetto in ABT's Giselle. Photo by Rosalie O'Connor/courtesy of OCPAC.
Love and death seem to be everywhere lately, from Ivanov and Miss Saigon at Cal State Fullerton, through November 1 and November 8 respectively, to The Medea Complex—which opens tonight at Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble in Santa Ana—to the American Ballet Theatre’s production of Giselle, which runs November 3–8 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
Giselle tells the tale of a weak-hearted peasant girl whose love for Albrecht, a nobleman in disguise, goes unrealized until her death. Giselle is transported upon passing to the moonlit land of the Wilis, vengeful spirits of brides who have died before their wedding day. The New York Times has called this production of Giselle “the best America has ever seen." I’ll have to take their word for it, at least until next Tuesday, but having seen ABT’s Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker Suite and other ballets in their repertoire, I suspect the superlative is right on the money.
The popular tale of unrequited love marks ABT’s 21st visit to OCPAC, and the opening of the Center’s 2009-2010 International Dance Series. Following in 2010 are the Bolshoi Ballet’s La Bayadere (February 24-28), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 2-7), Shen Wei Dance Arts (April 16-18), and Compania Nacional de Danza (May 4-8). Free Preview Talks will be held one hour before each performance in Segerstrom Hall; tickets for ABT start at $17. Call 714-556-2787.
Also at OCPAC this week: an artist named Esperanza Spalding who’s all of 24 and is blazing a trail on the jazz circuit that’s causing a lot of commotion. The young vocalist-bassist-composer, who blends old school with the progressive, sings in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and scats with flair. Enough verbiage for now—check her out on youtube and see for yourself. Spalding performs November 6 and 7.
Hot tip: Speaking of jazz, OC’s top jazz club—Steamer’s—is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month in Fullerton. Francisco Aguabella’s Latin Jazz Band performs tomorrow, with Poncho Sanchez on November 1 and Barbara Morrison on November 6 and 7. Call 714-871-8800.
More from Jordan:
OC Theatre 101: What’s up at Performing Arts Center for 2009-2010?
Philharmonic Society presents festival of Chinese culture in OC
Bob Baker Marionettes, ‘Medea Complex’ top Halloween events
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