{"id":106494,"date":"2023-03-16T16:21:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T23:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=106494"},"modified":"2023-03-31T16:24:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T23:24:44","slug":"sf-ballet-vibrant-triple-bill-the-colors-of-dance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/sf-ballet-vibrant-triple-bill-the-colors-of-dance\/","title":{"rendered":"SF Ballet Vibrant Triple Bill: The Colors of Dance"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Francisco Ballet presents the stage Premiere of Myles Thatcher\u2019s COLORFORMS, part of a triple bill program, March 14 \u2013 19, 2023 at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Previously presented as a World Premiere film version during SF Ballet\u2019s 2021 Digital Season, the stage version debuted on March 14th<\/sup> and was very well received. Set to music by Steve Reich and choreographed by Myles Thatcher, an SF Ballet Soloist, the combination of Reich\u2019s Variations for Vibes, Pianos, and Strings with Thatcher\u2019s choreography results in a vibrant and joyous new ensemble piece to be added to the SF Ballet repertoire.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On opening night COLORFORMS featured Principal Dancers Sasha De Sola, Aaron Robinson, Misa Kuranaga, and Esteban Hern\u00e1ndez; Soloists Jasmine Jimison, Isabella DeVivo, Steven Morse; Cavan Conley Maggie Weirich, and Davide Occhipinti, performing in a variety of small and large combinations with streamlined transitions of set and lighting.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Scenic and Lighting Design of this piece by Jim French is architectural and beautiful as the set and lighting transforms the space from a seeming three rooms that become a stunning vast backdrop of neon colors and grids.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Susan Roemer\u2019s Costume Design of a notable every day look including full skirts and dresses in varied colors and textures at the start of COLORFORMS and becomes form fitting as the piece evolves.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The theatrical set and look of this piece develops from the fast moving groups of young characters and random combinations as they playfully turn, move, enter and exit a three room space. Reich\u2019s rhythmic music is unpredictable and exciting, especially when the \u2018rooms\u2019 melt away \u2013 into a new episode of shapes, forms, set, dancers and choreography!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

COLORFORMS envelops a range of moods and emotions from dancers in their interactions between the characters and creative choreography, which is visceral, energetic and dynamic throughout the piece. This is certainly a piece to see again to appreciate all the elements that come together so well!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This triple bill program opens with Helgi Tomasson\u2019s 7 FOR EIGHT and closes with William Forsythe\u2019s BLAKE WORKS I.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7 FOR EIGHT <\/span><\/span>is choreographed by Tomasson and is s<\/span><\/span>et to <\/span><\/span>beautiful<\/span><\/span> music by Bach : <\/span><\/span>Keyboard Concerto No. 5, BWV 1056<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0(2nd\u00a0& 3rd\u00a0movements);\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Keyboard Concerto No. 4, BWV 1055<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0(1st\u00a0and 2nd\u00a0movements);\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Concerto for 4 Harpsichords, BWV 1065<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0(2nd\u00a0movement) arranged for one harpsichord;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Keyboard Concerto No. 1 BWV 1052<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0(2nd\u00a0and 1st\u00a0movements), <\/span><\/span>conducted by <\/span><\/span>Martin West <\/span><\/span>with pianist Mungunchimeg Buriad.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The first duo with Yuan Yuan Tan and Aaron Robinson with intricate partnering, elegant lifts and Tan\u2019s outstanding extensions sets the tone for the piece. Next, Norika Matsuyama and Cavan Conley perform a joyous and lively duo with freshness and verve. The following movements include floaty, gracious, and dramatic choreography with twirls of floor patterns and precise fast footwork in this elegantly restrained piece.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dark costume design by Susan Roemer perfectly juxtaposes with the deep blue tones of the scenic and lighting design by Jim French.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Forsythe\u2019s BLAKE WORKS I is set to music by James Blake and features a large ensemble of dancers performing in short episodes. The ethereal music with vocals in the first piece is fascinating when Sasha De Sola, Nikita Fogo and Jasmine Jamison lead out in I Need a Forest Fire. The intriguing score continues with trios, duos and ensemble choreography that is at once grounded, electrifying, sensual, balletic, vibrant, punctuated with fluid joy, unusual choreography with fascinating relationships among the dancers as the music becomes transporting to another time and place – it is all very compelling!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All elements of this piece work in unison to create a breathtaking experience for the audience. Beautifully staged by Ayman Harper with mid blue to dark costume design by Dorothee Merg and William Forsythe and moody atmospheric lighting design by Tanja Ruehl and William Forsythe. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sasha De Sola and Max Cauthorn\u2019s final duet, Forever, is breathtaking, tender and lovely!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More Information and Tickets:<\/span><\/p>\n

SFBallet.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/strong><\/em>Jo Tomalin, Ph.D. reviews Dance & Theatre Performances
\n<\/a><\/strong>More Reviews by Jo Tomalin
\n<\/a>TWITTER @JoTomalin
\n<\/a>www.forallevents.com<\/a>\u00a0 Arts & Travel Reviews<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

San Francisco Ballet presents the stage Premiere of Myles Thatcher\u2019s COLORFORMS, part of a triple bill program, March 14 \u2013 19, 2023 at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[762,763,191,285,764],"class_list":{"0":"post-106494","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-jo-tomalin","7":"tag-colorforms","8":"tag-myles-thatcher","9":"tag-san-francisco","10":"tag-sf-ballet","11":"tag-william-forsythe"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"