3 dances evoke happiness, sorrow

BALLET WEST, "Fall Festival," Capitol Theatre, Friday, additional performances tonight, Wednesday through Oct 2, 355-2787.

"Offenbach in the Underworld" is a hit.

Ballet West took its audience into an 1870s cafe and offered shotfuls of characters that included an artist (Seth Olson), a pompous Imperial Excellency (Christopher Ruud), an Operetta Star (Kristin Hakala), a Young Officer (Jeff F. Herbig) and a Good Family Debutante (Victoria Lock).

The lighthearted work, choreographed by Antony Tudor, ran like a well-timed Vaudeville show with humor, camp and physical action.

Energy, timing and acting were the flavors of this work and garnered the performers a standing ovation.

"Offenbach" is one of three Tudor works in Ballet West's season opener, "Fall Festival." The other works include "Leaves Are Falling" and "Lilac Garden."

This is the same program the company performed at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival in Scotland earlier this month.

While Utah audiences have seen "Leaves Are Falling" and "Lilac Garden" in the past, this was the first time "Offenbach in the Underworld" has been presented.

While the "Offenbach" work is a fun, almost cartoonish study of character, timing and dance, the other two are more introspective.

"Leaves Are Falling" opened the evening with its flowing moves. Although the dancers were a little tentative at first, the emotions opened up toward the end.

The work, which was danced to the layered works of Dvorak, emoted memories of the past which have come to an end.

Heavier moments came with "Lilac Garden." Sorrow, remorse and regret filled the stage as Caroline (Christiana Bennett), her lover ((Michael Bearden), Caroline's betrothed (Olson) and his mistress (Kate Crews) dealt with lingering emotions.

Emphasized by the Ernest Chausson score, the drama of the work was highlighted by the strong dancing.

These three works display Tudor's understanding of human emotion and physical timing. And with the music, which is performed live by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Terence Kern, "Fall Festival" is a must see.

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com