Review: Ballet Co.Laboratory celebrates solidarity with audience return to theater

 

Theaters are slowly giving individuals a chance to celebrate and feel the solidarity of being in an audience again.Ballet Co.Laboratory performed Firebird at Concordia University in St Paul.

The choreography was by Flavia Garcia and directed by Director Zoé Henrot, set to music by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Firebird is the story of young prince Ivan who is ill.  The only way to save his life is to possess a magical feather from the Firebird.  Archers are sent to seek the Firebird. Ivan eventually captures the bird and in exchange for her independence she tears a feather and gives it to the Prince, telling Ivan that if he's ever in danger, all he needs to do is wave the feather and she'll help him.  The prince comes upon a garden occupied by thirteen princesses who are under the spell of Koschei and the prince falls in love with princess Katerina.  

photo by Rachel Koep

In the first act, set in a royal court (set and prop design by Vicky Erickson) we are introduced to prince and princesses, swans, archers and jesters.  Beginning ballet through level 3 students were given opportunities to infuse the choreography with their own ideas about their characters. The archers in particular seemed to have a distinct flair, dressed in tunics with olive green felt caps (costume design by Tina Schwach and Zoé Henrot). Their arms poised to pull back imaginary arrows.  They turned to face the four corners in hunt of the Firebird, an imaginative dance reminiscent of Robin Hood.

Henrot says, “It is important to me that the dancers feel they have ownership over the steps they are dancing. Traditionally students do not engage in this part of the creative process but are expected to at a professional level. I want to ensure they are prepared for this in the future.”

The twelve princesses huddle on the terrace in a memorable scene where they wave their hands and then line up to leave the Royal court. The moments when the Firebird looked out into the audience were especially powerful.The prince lifted the Firebird as he moves her across the stage to symbolize her liberating flight.  Koschei sends his minions after Ivan, he summons the Firebird. Koschei intervenes, bewitching the monsters and making them dance an elaborate, energetic dance (the "Infernal Dance").

The dancing monsters wore black leotards with matching black gloves and green sashes, and used jazz hands to intimidate the prince. The dancers roll on the floor, shimmy, sway, and embrace in pairs; they create extraordinary angles and swirls to heart-racing effect. The night's audience clapped during several scenes unable to contain themselves, not seeing dance after a long span of time has this effect.

Rosa Prigan (teaching artist) says, "Sometimes people struggle to see themselves represented in traditional tales, but it is our hope that with this new Prologue, as well as choreography by Flavia Garcia in the second act that gives all the characters more power and humanity in their roles, that audiences may relate more to this tale. For example, many can relate to the feelings of the Princesses, trapped (as they are in the castle by the evil sorcerer) and unable to live up to their full potential, and also in how they become a close knit and supportive group of friends to survive. Many will also see themselves in Firebird, as she initially struggles to fit in and ultimately decides that using her unique gifts is a more important calling anyway." 

As the music’s finale intensifies Ivan’s coronation reaches its climax:Nobody onstage moves, most are collapsed and leaning against one another in elaborate twisted statuesque shapes. This production shows that liberation takes determination. What we take away from the pandemic will help us create a story as powerful as Firebird.

Upcoming shows by Ballet Co.Laboratory include Dirty Dancing on October 8, 2022 and The Snow Queen, December 2-4, 2022.