DANCE REVIEW | BALLETMET COLUMBUS: NightMoves program highlight...

BalletMet Columbus gives its audience a lot to think about and digest in the program "NightMoves," which opened last night at the BalletMet Performance Space.

[sfg]

Seriously? Is this what passes as a review these days? I may not always agree with what Barbara has to say but this 'one line of description and one line of comment per dance' tells me next to nothing of what this critic thinks of the evening's program. I want to read her point of view on all things associated with this performance - was the choreography inspired or insipid; were the dancers capable, well rehearsed, well matched and exciting or not; was the music live and well executed or prerecorded; did the lighting imbue the performance with life or leave it listless; were the costumes dazzling or boring?

Of course I don't expect every question to be answered but having read many of Ms. Zuck's reviews over the years I know she has lot more to say than she has said here. I sincerely hope the Dispatch will give her the column inches she needs to fulfill her duties as a critic, both to the artists and the patrons.

[Sad]

I couldn't agree with sfg more, except she was given more credit than she deserves. I don't remember reading a review of hers that was worth printing. The highschool journalism students write much better than her.

[sah]

I agree with the other two comments. I have been totally in opposition to any critique that Ms Zuck has written on the last two BalletMet performances. I can not be sure she was even at the performance by reading her column. She is doing a poor job of providing the public with an in depth review. I find her take on performances without merit or justification. I think it might be time for a new face and pen to be the critic of the performing arts.

[Tasia]

I attended Nightmoves opening night and had really hoped to get to see the performance again. I had planned on going tonight, but it is sold out. I can understand this as if I had the finances I would have bought tickets to every performance.

I was on the BalletMet website and clicked on the link to the Dispatch review and was rather disappointed. I feel the notes I took in my program tell more.

The first piece, Maestro, was nice, but not exactly what I was looking for. The costumes looked dorky to me, but they actually work with the piece. I think I need to see this again to really see it.

My notes on Sinatra Suite started with WOW! The That’s Life portion had incredible lifts & the trust moves! I really liked getting to see one of my favorite dancers, Adrienne Benz, partnered with Jon Drake who joined the company in 2008. This was thoroughly enjoyable.

Night Music was utterly amazing. Nearly the entire dance was done with the dancers eyes closed, or at least that is the impression from the third row. This was quite possibly the most interesting concept for a dance I have seen. I utterly loved it and wish I could purchase it on DVD. I called my father and raved about this production and specifically this piece to him. He promised to pass my comments on to the choreographer, Lauire Eisenhower.

Relevant was a real woman’s piece. With all the dancers women and choreographed by Maria Glimcher. This is also the dance that I really noticed Annie Mallonee as an individual dancer. I want to see this again from a higher seat. I think it would be even more amazing from that perspective.

I have a layered appreciation for Michael Uthoff’s in g major. Having attended the open rehearsal I saw the growth of Zoica Tovar and Andres Estevez in this piece. They did the 10 minute dance twice at the rehearsal and there were significant changes between the first and the second time. Seeing it a third time with the same dancers on opening night I was thrilled. They nailed the changes the choreographer wanted them to make. I still think the male needs to smile slowly at the end of the piece, but that is just my opinion.

Adam Hunt’s dwell moves him into my list of seriously good choreographers. BalletMet is so nurturing to have multiple dancers develop these skills. The light and use of shadows is amazing. I really, really liked the Mad World section of this piece. Having attended the open rehearsal the costuming was a nice surprise at the performance.