'Madame Butterfly' pleases crowd

"MADAME BUTTERFLY," Ballet West, Capitol Theatre, Feb. 13, additional performances Feb. 14-21, (801-355-2787 or 888-451-2787)

Ballet West premiered Stanton Welch's "Madame Butterfly" and left the awestruck audience standing, applauding and crying Friday.

The intricate costumes, along with the eye-catching sets and captivating dancing, including the seamless use of flashbacks, were sewn together by the famous Giacomo Puccini score, performed by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Terence Kern.

Ballet West principal Romi Beppu literally took on the butterflies as she danced the lead role, Geisha Cio-Cio San, to life. Beppu made the audience feel the pathos of Cio-Cio San as she seemingly finds true love in the arms of Lt. Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy. Pinkerton, danced by guest soloist Nicholas Leschke from the Houston Ballet, nimbly emitted swagger and arrogance throughout the early part of the performance. However, during his pas de deux with Cio-Cio San, which had a stumble that was quickly remedied, Leschke's Pinkerton was strong, tender and full of life.

Beppu's transition from a blushing, young and optimistic bride to a suicidal, heart- and soul-broken woman is nothing short of artistic genius.

The Asian-inspired contemporary performance of Mark Morris' "Gong," used bold-colored costumes, dynamic light and shadow, and actual Balinese dancing to set the tone of an emotionally powerful evening.

E-mail: scott@desnews.com