"SWAN LAKE," BALLET WEST, Capitol Theatre, additional performances Wednesday-Saturday (355-2787).
Anticipation in the Capitol Theatre was thick as Ballet West began its initial performance of Jonas Kage's "Swan Lake."
With the success of the artistic director's last work, "Romeo and Juliet," expectations were high. The Capitol Theatre was all abuzz with excitable murmurings and conversations.
And when it was over, well, it's safe to say "Swan Lake" is another success.
The enthusiastic standing ovation at the end of the performance showed Kage that he hit his mark.
Christiana Bennett, making her Ballet West debut in the dual role of the virtuous Odette and cunning Odile, is up to the challenge of the role's technical and emotional execution.
Audience favorite Seth Olson reprises his role as Prince Siegfried, which he danced in 2002 when the company first premiered this version of the world-famous ballet.
As the story goes, Siegfried is longing for a love and finds Odette, a maiden cursed to be a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart, danced by Jason Linsley.
The pairing of Olson and Bennett hushed the audience during the second act's pas de deux during the Friday night performance. The two danced to pin-drop silence as Siegfried finds the love of his life — giving his heart to the cursed but beautiful Odette.
Bennett's Odette suffers beautifully as she flutters about the stage with birdlike extensions and meticulous footwork.
The third act thickens the plot as Von Rothbart tricks Siegfried into betraying
Odette by urging his daughter Odile — who resembles Odette — to seduce the young prince, thus forcing him to break a promise to Odette. That, of course, prevents the virtuous swan from becoming human ever again.
Bennett's Odile dances with dark and shadowed confidence, and sharper edges than the gentle Odette. But the chemistry with Olson still holds fast as they dance a lively pas de deux during a royal party.
While Bennett and Olson are the main focus of the production, the other Ballet West artists also highlight the work. This especially is true of the corps who are swans. The spacing, timing and variation presentation are eye-pleasingly beautiful and full of substance.
The costumes and sets, designed and built by Peter Cazalet, add dimension to the production. And the musical interpretation of the sweeping Tchaikovsky score by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Terence Kern, complete the presentation.
The only trouble spot Friday came after a brief prologue where Von Rothbart curses Odette. The first few minutes of the first act lacked energy. The dancers seemed a little tentative at first, and the characters appeared to be a little unsure about their motivation. But as the act went on, the energy returned and set things right for the rest of the evening.
By the finale, the dancers had the audience in the palms of their hands.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com