Commentary
THE LITTLE MERMAID
FULFILLING UNDER
THE SEA & ON LAND
By Nancy Condit
The world premiere of artistic director Robert Mills'
The Little Mermaid was a charming ballet performed well by
the Oklahoma City Ballet Friday night at the Civic Center
Music Hall. Remaining performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday,
and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 17 and 18. Tickets may be
purchased online at https://www.okcballet.org/, and
at the Civic Center box office one hour before the performance.
The atmosphere of Act I was delightfully set under water
with projections designed by Michael Baumgarten, lighting
designed by Aaron Mooney, and sets and costumes courtesy
of the Charlotte Ballet.
At the bottom of the sea, where the water was darkest blue,
sea creatures from transparent jelly fish with glowing tentacles
floating as puppets held high by on point ballet dancers to
children costumed as star fish moving sideways across the
stage to mermaids held swimmers, Act I opened in another
world.
As Ariel, DaYoung Jung swam, held by her black-clad swimmers,
at first moved awkwardly on land, and finished as a classical Russian
bride in a lovely pas de deux with Alvin Tovstogray as Erik, the sailor
she rescued from a shipwreck. Both Jung and Tovstogray were
a pleasure to watch.
Mills' choreography was particularly interesting as Jung moved in
water with her new legs, playing with the water as she was leaving
it for the land.
Mills' choreography was involving in the wedding scene, as the
bride and groom, friends, and all the guests danced 19th century
classic Russian style arrangements. Erik and his naval friends
also engaged a lively 19th century folk-military dance.
His choice and arrangement of music, Zemlinsky's Der Seejungfrau,
and Gliere's The Red Poppy, set the scenes while fitting and feeding the ballet.
This week Mills received the Governor's Arts Award for Community Service,
including adding a Parkinson's Dance Class to OKC Ballet's offerings. He is
also celebrating 10 years as artistic director of the Oklahoma City Ballet.
"Aspects of this production were first conceived by Mr. Mills at the National
Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, California," from the program.
Anyone can achieve their dreams. In the process, give thanks to those
that help you, and never forget those that tried to stand in your way, appeared
between the production information and the program information.
THE LITTLE MERMAID
FULFILLING UNDER
THE SEA & ON LAND
By Nancy Condit
The world premiere of artistic director Robert Mills'
The Little Mermaid was a charming ballet performed well by
the Oklahoma City Ballet Friday night at the Civic Center
Music Hall. Remaining performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday,
and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 17 and 18. Tickets may be
purchased online at https://www.okcballet.org/, and
at the Civic Center box office one hour before the performance.
The atmosphere of Act I was delightfully set under water
with projections designed by Michael Baumgarten, lighting
designed by Aaron Mooney, and sets and costumes courtesy
of the Charlotte Ballet.
At the bottom of the sea, where the water was darkest blue,
sea creatures from transparent jelly fish with glowing tentacles
floating as puppets held high by on point ballet dancers to
children costumed as star fish moving sideways across the
stage to mermaids held swimmers, Act I opened in another
world.
As Ariel, DaYoung Jung swam, held by her black-clad swimmers,
at first moved awkwardly on land, and finished as a classical Russian
bride in a lovely pas de deux with Alvin Tovstogray as Erik, the sailor
she rescued from a shipwreck. Both Jung and Tovstogray were
a pleasure to watch.
Mills' choreography was particularly interesting as Jung moved in
water with her new legs, playing with the water as she was leaving
it for the land.
Mills' choreography was involving in the wedding scene, as the
bride and groom, friends, and all the guests danced 19th century
classic Russian style arrangements. Erik and his naval friends
also engaged a lively 19th century folk-military dance.
His choice and arrangement of music, Zemlinsky's Der Seejungfrau,
and Gliere's The Red Poppy, set the scenes while fitting and feeding the ballet.
This week Mills received the Governor's Arts Award for Community Service,
including adding a Parkinson's Dance Class to OKC Ballet's offerings. He is
also celebrating 10 years as artistic director of the Oklahoma City Ballet.
"Aspects of this production were first conceived by Mr. Mills at the National
Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, California," from the program.
Anyone can achieve their dreams. In the process, give thanks to those
that help you, and never forget those that tried to stand in your way, appeared
between the production information and the program information.
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