Spring Dance: A 19th-Century Ballet Revival and a Show Inspired By 'Soul Train'
Two dance shows opening this month are bringing back vintage performance styles, each in their own way.
WNYC's dance critic Marina Harss says the American Ballet Theatre's world premiere of "Harlequinade" by Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky is a reconstruction of a ballet by the 19th century choreographer Marius Petipa. Ratmansky's work is based on historic notes about the show, and employs a style of ballet that could be different from many people have come to expect.
"Ballet has changed a lot since the late-19th century," Harss tells Morning Edition's Richard Hake. "What he's gone back to is a style in which little details count a lot more. There's a lot more mime and there's a lot more storytelling."
[To hear the full interview, click on "Listen."]
At The New Victory Theater, hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris has created a show that is part autobiography, part tribute to Soul Train with "Funkedified," which runs from June 1 to 10, 2018. The performance is heavily influenced by how funk affected Harris as he grew up and also includes a live funk band.
"It's very interactive. There's some improvisation," Harss says.
"Harlequinade" at the American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, June 4 - 9, 2018.
"Funkedified" at The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., June 1 - 10, 2018.
