Eat Cake! Boston Ballet presents Shades of Sound

Black Cake, Boston Ballet ©2014 Rosalie O’Connor Photography

It may not feel like Spring outside, but step inside the Opera House and you’ll be refreshed with Boston Ballet’s 3-piece program “Shades of Sound.” Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen combines contemporary, modern, classical, ballroom and bubbly for night that is sure to re-energize the senses.

BB premiered Chroma in 2013, and opens “Shades” with its 10 dancers in neutral colors inside a white shadowbox-like set. From beginning to end, Chroma is high energy, non-stop contemporary dance. Sit back, it’s a rollercoaster of movement and emotion. The percussionists are in the spotlight of the Joby Talbot and Jack White’s (yes, The White Stripes’ lead man) music in the House balconies.

George Balanchine’s Episodes ©2014 Rosalie O’Connor Photography

After intermission, the curtain opens and you know immediately that it’s George Balanchine — a stark backdrop with dancers in black and white leotards. Originally, Episodes was a collaboration between Balanchine and Mother of modern dance Martha Graham. And although Graham’s choreography is no longer used, the music (Anton von Webern) and Balanchine’s style still gives this older ballet a modern feel. Episodes showcases BB’s roots in exquisite, world-class technique.

And then there’s dessert. Oh so yummy dessert. Black Cake is flirty and funny and a happy ending to a great night of dance. Six couples, dressed in black cocktail attire get a little tipsy as they tango. Leading ladies: Rie Ichikwaka, Kathleen Breen Combes and Dalay Parrondo show the men they’re in control… until they’re not. The group gets loose and shows all the truths of the emotional drunk. It’s perfectly performed, leaving the audience wanting another piece of Cake.

Through March 29

The Opera House

539 Washington St., Boston

$29-$142, 617-695-6950

www.bostonballet.org

Boston Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty

Misa Kuranaga in Boston Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty © Rosalie O’Connor

Opening night in the Opera House was abuzz in anticipation of Boston Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty.

It is a familiar fairytale and formula set to a Tchaivosky score and choreography by ballet master Petipa. Fairy Carabosse (Erica Cornejo), annoyed that she has been left out of the christening celebration of Princess Aurora (Misa Kuranaga) gives the child a spindle as a gift, announcing that she will prick her finger on it and die. But not so fast — the good Lilac Fairy’s (Lia Cirio) gift to the princess is that she not die, but fall into a deep sleep until she is awakened by a Prince’s (Jeffrey Cirio) kiss.

Erica Cornejo in Boston Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty © Rosalie O’Connor

This show has a lot of personality. The Lilac Fairy is a bold, fearless leader; the Songbird Fairy (Sylvia Deaton) shows a lighter funny side, the Golden Vine Fairy (Dalay Parrondo) means business. Carabosse is wickedly wicked — a character you love to hate. Kuranaga did her homework and captures all things pure and innocent about Aurora.

For a grandiose, romantic story ballet, the staging and music is delicate and inviting, as opposed to the Wang Theatre performances from several years back. An entire cast is bouncing and floating onstage, but all you can feel is the tremendous energy of the dancers and the silence around them. It’s as if Boston Ballet is putting on a private showing for your eyes only. And that is the way a ballet should be experienced.

 

SPOILER ALERT

The ballet is long — two hours and 45 minutes. Act III moves quickly, but is more of a celebratory section with other fairytale characters and a Grand Pas de Deux, since the climax of the storyline (the kiss) is at the end of Act II.

 

Boston Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty

Through April 7

The Opera House

539 Washington St., Boston

$39-$142, 617-695-6950

www.bostonballet.org