THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ballet BC shines at BAM with an appealing, stylistically cohesive program

Ballet BC dances Emily Molnar’s “To this day” program at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Photo by Ian Douglas.

Ballet BC dances Emily Molnar’s “To this day” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Photo by Ian Douglas.

Last night at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, I attended a performance by Ballet British Columbia, or more succinctly (and chicly), simply Ballet BC. The impetus for the brief visit to south of the border by this squarely contemporary dance company is to celebrate Emily Molnar’s 10th anniversary as artistic director of the institution. For the occasion Ms. Molnar has curated an appealing, stylistically cohesive program.

The evening started with William Forsythe’s classic but still strikingly modern “Enemy in the Figure”. I first saw the piece about fifteen years ago when Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance moved to it, and it was a formidable experience. Seeing the work again, I was once again struck by Mr. Forsythe’s stylish and unmistakable ability to create self-contained universes with their own logic and vocabulary, particularly in this 1989 masterpiece. The program continued with two lesser but still worthwhile works – Ms. Molnar’s own “To this Day” (2018), which was entertaining and appropriately bluesy (the dance was inspired by Jimi Hendrix), as well as Crystal Pite’s ethereal, meditative “Solo Echo” (2012).

Throughout, the influence of Mr. Forsythe’s angular, tense aesthetic was very much apparent, which is not surprising given that both Ms. Molnar and Ms. Pite (one of the most sought-after Canadian choreographers today) were mentored by the master. As for the British BC dancers, they shined. The company is comprised of largely wonderful movers who have been expertly trained to expressly purvey a sleek, European sensibility. All-in-all, I was impressed by Ballet BC’s distinctive identity and careful attention to theatrical presentation (kudos to the company’s design and lighting support staff). Last night’s program, which you can catch one last time tonight at BAM, was uncommonly satisfying.

RECOMMENDED

 

BALLET BC
Dance
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
2 hours (with two intermissions)
Through June 15

Categories: Dance

Leave a Reply