Power Play

REVIEW: BalletX at the Wilma Theater

by Janet Anderson

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Published: Apr 7, 2009

[ dance review ]

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It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." BalletX, now in its second spring season at the Wilma, follows Dr. Seuss' credo, pushing movement boundaries while taking their fun quite seriously. Co-artistic director Christine Cox's The Striped Hat cheerfully, cheekily starts off the program with a dance version of Seuss' childhood classic The Cat in the Hat. Two youngsters are stuck in the house on a rainy day when a saucy cat in a tall striped hat (pert, fleet-footed Tara Keating) shows up and turns everything upside down. The cat invites in friends, who tumble around the stage causing amusing, confusing movement sequences.

Nothing demonstrates more clearly how much BalletX has grown professionally than Largo, choreographed by Taiwan-born, former New City Ballet dancer Edwaard Liang, who was inspired by the serenity found in Jean-Honoré Fragonard's 18th-century paintings. Three couples, beautifully lit in deep blues and purples, quietly, sinuously perform to Bach chamber music. Odd, introspective, elegant moves, like a long-held bent elbow or a woman leaning on her crouched partner's back, appear organic to the musical phrase. All six dancers are superb — especially Gregory Brown dancing with Anitra Nurnberger. This is a sophisticated work in the Balanchine manner, with totally abstract movement intersecting perfectly with music to suggest a storyline when none is given.

The evening closes with a reprise of co-director Matthew Neenan's Wonder Why, set to Sinéad O'Connor. Eight members of the troupe romp through his signature work with guys partnering guys, dancers sliding around, being thrown, chased and banged on, until Neenan's quick hand gesture signals that the fun, like all good things, must come to an end.

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