April 8-14, 2004
artpicks
"Rhythm & Blues"
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The rapidly maturing choreographic talents of Matthew Neenan, Pennsylvania Ballet corps dancer and joint founder of experimental Phrenic New Ballet, provide the bright highlight of PAB's upcoming "Rhythm and Blues" program. The Crossed Line, a ballet for six couples danced to Chopin excerpts, is Neenan's fifth work for his home troupe in seven years, surely making him resident choreographer in all but name.
The Crossed Line began as an idea worked out at New York City Ballet's Choreographic Institute, and matured into an idea twice the size for his home company. For costumes, he turned to Martha Chamberlain, a PAB principal dancer known within the company for being very "crafty" and designing things, even leotards. (Neenan says "Martha makes great leo.") The enigmatic title for Neenan's work is personal although he'll only explicate obliquely, "Sometimes you have to cross over a line and get on with your life. Last year was like that for me."
Sharing the bill with The Crossed Line will be Trey McIntyre's Blue Until June performed to Etta James' sultry music, and Peter Martins' hyperactive Fearful Symmetries (pictured) using John Adams' supercharged score.
What a welcome opportunity to see the PAB's superb dancers actually dance instead of act, dodge sets or fly into the wings.
"Rhythm & Blues," Pennsylvania Ballet, April 14-18, $18-$69, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-336-2000.
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