UTAH BALLET, "Yuletide Dances" at Kingsbury Hall, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances Dec. 1-2, 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets available at the Kingsbury Hall box office or all ArtTix outlets. Tickets can also be purchased at 355-ARTS.
There was something for everyone when Utah Ballet took to the Kingsbury Hall stage Thursday.
In an ambitious performance, the group of dancers took on three Christmas tales and a three-part repertoire work. And to its credit, the production was a success.
While this year the company shied away from performing the full-length "Snow Maiden," it danced just a few of the selections in the work. Unlike some Snow Maidens in the past, this year's dancer, Jessica Coleman, was a joy to watch. Her character wasn't overanxious, nor were her steps slow and labored.
In fact, her lines, extensions and emotions caught the Snow Maiden's innocence and love for life. It would have been interesting to see how she would have done if the dance company had danced the whole production.
Luke Luzecka danced the Snow Maiden's betrothed, Mizgir, with flair and strength. And his lifts were solid and steady.
"Gift of the Magi" was another holiday story that came to life on stage. The work, choreographed by Maureen Laird, co-artistic director of Utah Ballet, captured the giving spirit with her rendition of the story. Andrea Shaw and Jayvon Byrd danced the couple who yearned to give each other gifts. Shaw clearly enjoyed dancing to the audience. And Byrd's performance was not only energetic but filled with feeling.
"A Christmas Carol," choreographed by co-artistic director Richard Wacko, not only told the famous Dickens story in a little over 20 minutes, but it featured some high-tech effects. Video images of the ghosts appeared in a backdrop as the light-footed Scrooge (Chris Bender) shook with fear in his bedroom.
One major highlight was Scrooge's pas de deux with the ghost of Jacob Marley (Jared Hunt). Marley's leaps gave the impression of flying.
Opening the evening was "Yuletide Carols," which was composed of three different works.
The dancers in Annri Opitz's "Gesu Bambino," Sharee Lane's "La Virgen Laves Panales" and Karissa Horowicz's "Ave Maria" all moved fluidly through the works. Although there were some opening-night jitters (long pauses between the works), the dancers kept their mistakes to a minimum. Still, there were some times when the corps wasn't quite in sync, but the extensions, lifts and spins were well-placed and brought applause from the appreciative audience.
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com