Donald Mahler has been staging Antony Tudor's works for companies in France, Canada, Japan and the United States.
He has done three for Ballet West, which currently has four Tudor works in its repertoire. And that lifts Mahler's heart.
"There aren't many companies who do Tudor works," said Mahler during an interview after rehearsals with Ballet West, where he is staging Tudor's "Echoing of Trumpets." "It takes a lot of work to put on a Tudor work correctly. It goes beyond just steps. It's like a play. The dancers must make the dancing dramatically true for the audience."
There is also a misconception that Tudor works don't attract an audience. "I don't believe that. It's a myth. Everywhere there has been a Tudor work performed, the audience falls in love with it. I remember staging 'Echoing' in Japan, and we had the most deservable applause and numerous curtain calls. People were stamping on the floor. It was amazing.
" . . . When people experience a Tudor work, they are moved by it," said Mahler. "When I staged it in Alberta, the dancers were a little puzzled by it, but once we got it down in the studio, the dancers and the staff were crying."
The reason for the emotions is the quality of the work, said Mahler. "The emotion, the themes, the movements and the music of a Tudor work touches you deep and true," he said as his voice quivered with emotion. "The task is to have the dancers believe in it so much that the audience believes what they are doing."
"Echoing of Trumpets" is a powerful work that depicts the devastation and suffering caused by war, said Mahler. "But that's only part of it. It is also about the women who have been violated by the enemy and how they become survivors. There's a nobility in the women when they realize life will go on.
"That's one thing about all of Tudor's works," said Mahler. "He ennobles the dancers. He never puts scenes of brutality in for brutality's sake. He doesn't bring in melancholy for effect. There is a reason and the characters pass through those trials and become noble."
One reason Tudor, who died in 1987, was so effective in his craft was because he knew humankind, said Mahler. "He could see into the soul of human nature."
Mahler worked closely with Ballet West's artistic director Jonas Kage when choosing dancers for certain roles.
"Jonas is always great to work with," said Mahler. "And I need to say this — he has been absolutely fantastic bringing Antony's works to the public here. For the reasons stated earlier, other artistic directors are reluctant to do Tudor works. But Ballet West has four.
"And he took Ballet West to Edinburgh and performed three Tudor works, which is unheard of. He's danced in Tudor works and comes from the same viewpoint as I do. These works are beautiful and moving in ways other ballets aren't. And Jonas has danced in Tudor works and has the confidence that when people see these works they will be moved. And it never fails. They are that deep."
In addition to "Echoing of Trumpets," Ballet West's season finale, called "Evening of Ballets," will feature Hans van Manen's "In and Out" and George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations."
"In and Out" made its Utah premiere in 1998. The work pushes the dancers and the audience with its contemporary feel. The use of closets, neon lights and witty movement took audiences by surprise, but it became an enjoyable work for the dancers and their fans.
Balanchine's "Theme and Variations" premiered in 1947. George Balanchine created it for American Ballet Theatre on Alicia Alonzo and Igor Youskevitch. The score is Tchaikovsky's Suite No. 3 in G major for Orchestra and is danced in a formal ballroom setting.
If you go . . .
What: "An Evening of Ballets"
Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South
When: Friday, Saturday and May 31 - June 3, 7:30 p.m. and June 3, 2 p.m.
How much: $17 - $65
Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787
Web:www.arttix.org
E-mail: scott@desnews.com