A Modern Take On Dance
The Joffrey Ballet dances to the beat of its own drummer. Using modern songs rather than traditional classical music to grace the stage, the dancers apply interpretive ballet positions and contemporary dance to "act out" within the music. The philosophy behind the Joffrey Ballet is to choreograph and interpret contemporary issues through dance.
One of the most recognized names in dance, The Joffrey Ballet is known all around the world for its repertoire of historical ballets. Together, Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino created a uniquely American company of dancers for whom they choreographed original and socially relevant ballets. The Joffrey ballet company began in 1956. It has now performed in over 400
The three parts of the Joffrey Ballet's show here in
The show opened with "Deuce Coupe," choreographed by Twyla Tharp. Deuce Coupe was first created in 1973. This dance is known as the "cross-over ballet." The dance is presented in a series of duet, trios, and canons. This piece shatters the boundaries between classical ballet and modern dance. In a flurry of yellow costumes the dancers glide across the stage to the tunes of the Beach Boys. They almost look like they are surfing. Within the hustle and bustle a lone ballerina graces the stage. Behind her dancers circle and slide. As within an eye to the storm, she calmly dances the entire classical ballet vocabulary. Choreographer Twyla Tharp says her ballet refers to teenagers and the mood of young people at play. The dance is punchy and creates a carefree atmosphere. At the end of this act, the audience roared with approval.
The next part of the show is known as "Motown Suite," choreographed by Donald Byrd. Motown Suite is a blend of classical ballet and contemporary movement that highlights the skills of the dancers. Hit songs by such groups as the Temptations provide a funky, fun atmosphere, with the audience clapping along. The dance to this section of the show was highly inspired by the music, and how that music was a reflection of changing attitudes. Donald Byrd explains, "The Motown era was a time
of great optimism
and idealism. The Motown sound…began to liberate…negative, racial stereotypes by noticing that adolescent hopes and desires, regardless of race, were similar, if not the same." Motown's themes
are unrequited love, betrayal, abandonment, pleas of restraint, the pressures of physical intimacy, beauty of that special someone and the unhappiness of indifference. All of these ideas are captured and expressed through the Joffrey's dancers.
Describing the innocence of Motown, the dancers sail through their interpretive dance. The underlying theme regarding the dance was that of the songs of romance covered by invisible patterns of social change. The dancers act out the different themes by showing an illustration of the dancers celebrating the many stages of love. Some showed the dancers together, acting out a love scene, others showed betrayal. The dancers demonstrated all of this while the music played on.
The last section of the show was set to Prince's mellow song called "Sometimes it Snows in April." The dancers were dressed in shiny silver outfits, and the stage did almost feel like it was snowed upon. The music was mellow and soothing. The dancers cross the platform in choreographer Laura Dean's signature geometric patterns and mesmerizing repetitions as the ballet's energy built to its breathless finish. The effect was gorgeous.
The three sections of the show illuminated the many different styles of which the Joffrey ballet is capable. At the end of the show, the audience stood up to give a standing ovation. It was a fitting ending to such a variety of illustrious song and dance.
The Joffrey Ballet performs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through June 29.
or to purchase tickets, call
(213) 365-3500.