Colorado Ballet ends the season with variety and passion

Patrons heading to the Colorado Ballet’s final production of its 49th season will see three very different works with one common factor:

Talent.

Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs describes 3motions as heartrending and electrifying.

“These three ballets are incredibly different from each other, but as a production these ballets demonstrate the broad artistic repertoire of Colorado Ballet’s dancers,” Boggs said in a prepared statement.

“Eventually,” a new work created for 3motions, illustrates the juxtaposition old and young. Choreographer Brian Reeder, a former member of the American Ballet Theatre, was inspired to illustrate the dramatic differences between individuals when he was people-watching in New York City.

The second act, the Company’s premiere of “Echoing of Trumpets,” should by all rights be depressing, as it memorializes a Czechoslovakian village that was destroyed by Nazi forces.

“Oddly enough, while it has a melancholy tone, overall, it’s uplifting,” said choreographer Donald Mahler during an interview with ColoradoBiz . of Antony Tudor’s one-act ballet. “Three of the women live. Adversity brings out the best and the worst in people. And it’s a timeless ballet. It could be anywhere, where there’s one group trying to get power over another.”

Mahler, who lives in New York City, says the Croatian and Yugoslavian dancing anchors Antony Tudor’s ballet in a place.

“I can’t say enough about the talent of the dancers,” he says. “They’re doing something outside of what they’re used to, but they’re doing it so well. Everyone who sees the performance will be very moved. And the dancers have been moved by this as well.”

The program ends with Lila York’s “Celts,” which reflects the long history of Ireland.

“Ireland has had a troubled past, but they’ve now come into their own, so it ends on a very positive note,” says the New York choreographer of the piece, which is set to a traditional Irish score.

“Celts is a story of a brave and beleaguered people who have triumphed and retained their cultural heritage,” York said. “Audiences respond to this uplifting dance. It tends to send people home in a very happy place, and that’s important. This is a time when we need to inspire people, because we all know the harsh realities of life.

“We have to show people what they can hope for, and what should make them grateful.”

If you go

What: Colorado Ballet’s 3motions
Where: Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 950 13th St.
When: Eight performances from March 19 through March 28
Tickets: $19-$149
Information: 303-837-8888 ext. 2, ColoradoBallet.org or at 1278 Lincoln St.

And coming next season:

A triple-bill production in Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, running from Sept. 10-12. Feast of the Gods celebrates the passion and history of a band of traveling gypsies. Smile with My Heart and a world premiere by choreographer Matthew Neenan will follow.

As in movies, television and literature, vampires are popular in dance. Oct. 15-24, Colorado Ballet will present Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Center for Performing Arts for two weekends, Oct. 15-24.

From Nov. 27-Dec. 26, the holiday favorite The Nutcracker takes the stage, with Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed by a live orchestra.

William Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Juliet, running Feb. 25-March 6 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, will end the season.

Season tickets, both renewed and new, for the 2010-2011 season are now available. Season ticket tables will be staffed in the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House during the Company’s performance season, ending March 28. To purchase subscription tickets for the 2010-2011 season, call 303-837-8888 ext. 2 or visit 1278 Lincoln St. in Denver, CO. Tickets to individual performances go on sale July 15.

 {pagebreak:Page 1}