Category Archives: dance

Source: Boston Ballet William Forsythe Artifact2017 Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

It is rare for me to have people (aside from my closest circle of friends) ask my opinion about a show I recently attended so I was surprised by the handful of emails and direct messages on Twitter asking me about Boston Ballet’s Artifact 2017, which is currently at The Boston Opera House through March 5.

I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the ballet. While dance and ballet in particular makes me appreciate the athleticism and grace required, this is the first ballet I’ve ever seen that made me feel anxious. Artifact 2017 has challenged my perception of what ballet is and what it is capable of evoking in me.  Roslyn Sulcas who writes for The  NY Times had a great article about the Boston Ballet – Forsythe relationship and the importance of Artifact. She writes:

“Artifact” was a manifesto of Mr. Forsythe’s intent to investigate and extend the boundaries of ballet technique and conventions, and it is still an urtext in his oeuvre…

Source: BostonBallet William Forsythe Artifact2017 Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

You can also read the glowing Boston Globe review of Artifact 2017 here. Tickets remain available for most shows, but the production closes on March 5th so don’t delay and make plans to see this production. It is the kind of work people will be referencing long after the curtain drops after the final performance.

Boston Ballet Artifact 2017

Later this month Artifact, opens at the Boston Opera House.  The ballet is the result of a fortunate five year relationship between The Boston Ballet and choreographer, William Forsythe.  For those unfamiliar with William Forsythe, he has been compared to Balanchine and Graham and is recognized for the way he integrates ballet and visual arts.

In this ballet from Forsythe more than 30 dancers will dance in large groups to pas de deux, transforming classical forms of ballet into post-modern structures. Forsythe has also designed the sets, costumes and lighting, ensuring that the four-act ballet will be something very special to see. Get tickets before it sells out.

Artifact
Boston Opera House
February 23 – March 5
Learn more – Purchase tickets

For those of you still trying to think of a memorable Valentine’s Day gift, I suggest skipping the flowers and candy this year and plan a special date night with the Boston Ballet at the gorgeous Boston Opera House.

Ricardo Santos in Karole Armitage’s Bitches Brew, courtesy of Boston Ballet

Tonight is opening night for The Boston Ballet’s final program of the season. Mirrors is a diverse selection of thought-provoking works that reflect the many facets of contemporary ballet. Adding to the evening’s program, the Company performs two world premieres: Smoke and Mirrors, the first major work commissioned by the Company for the Opera House stage by former Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Yury Yanowsky, followed by Karole Armitage’s Bitches Brew, a psychedelic display of athleticism set to Miles Davis’ famous jazz track.

Mirrors will run May 6–28, 2016, at the Boston Opera House.

I’ll be the first to admit that I enjoy going to the ballet, because the athleticism and grace on display is amazing.  The fact that the Boston Ballet performs at the Boston Opera House, which is a beautiful, historic theater that was lovingly restored and is a favorite venue of mine only adds to the experience.

Unfortunately, many think the ballet is not for them and they base their feelings on a one-time experience or more often, preconceived notions. Recognizing that my readership is overwhelmingly male, and men react positively to visual stimuli, I thought I’d use these images to make my case for you to give the ballet a second look. Not every ballet is for everyone. For example, The Boston Ballet will be presenting Swan Lake (Apr 29 – May 26). This is a classic ballet that you may recognize from the popular movie Black Swan.  Some will love the more traditional ballets like Swan Lake while some will prefer the more modern ballets. The trick is knowing what you like and checking out that production.

A couple weeks ago I featured a principal dancer with the Boston Ballet as a Temptation Tuesday. You can check out Paulo here.

Feeling inspired to check out a ballet? If you live in the Boston area check out the Boston Ballet online at bostonballet.org.

Misa Kuranaga in William Forsythe’s The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude
Photo by Gene Schiavone, courtesy of Boston Ballet 
Costume design by Stephen Galloway

Boston Ballet presents Kaleidoscope at the Boston Opera House
March 17 – 26, 2016

The Boston Ballet is back with a 10-day run of Kaleidoscope, a colorful fusion of works by 20th century masters that offers you a stunningly visual juxtaposition of four distinct pieces that runs for two hours and twenty minutes and has two intermissions. See you there.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets