The professional company of Arts Ballet Theater presented a joyous evening of classical and neo-classical dance at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center in a spring gala program with choreography by director, Vladimir Issaev. The evening was dedicated to Jules Oaklander, long time ABT supporter, mentor and friend, committed arts advocate, and a constant presence in keeping the arts alive and growing in South Florida. A trip to the Aventura Cultural Center is always a pleasure with its stunning location allowing exquisite views, even if it is sometimes thought to be out of the way.
In other programs of ABT, students from the school have been added to fill the ensemble roles needed for the larger full length ballets. This performance presented an opportunity to focus on the 16 professional dancers augmented by six female apprentices used in the larger casts. The dancers of ABT are well trained classical technicians. As seen in other productions, each of the five ballets in the program contained multiple pirouettes, (turns on one leg) hops on pointe for the girls, numerous extensions with high legs, fouettés (whip turns) double tours for the men (turning twice in the air) and grand pirouettes for the men ( hopping turn with one leg to the side). The gala ballets were a viable means for the dancers to execute their technique and the audience response showed appreciation.
Mary Carmen Catoya, as a veteran performer, uses her experience and maturity to enhance each role she does. Able to do all the technical feats that Issaev’s choreography (and classical technique) demands, she also adds the nuance and range of fluidity that dancing in a variety of styles brings. The effortless jumps and ease of partnering made Daniel Sarabia an excellent companion for Catoya.
Their seamless lifts into sweeping turns in the spring segment of The Four Seasons placed them as a seasoned and elegant couple even if the multiple pirouettes contained an effective use of paddling. The structure of The Four Seasons was absolutely traditional with a pas de deux followed by a male solo, into a female solo, into a coda.
Hernan Montenegro has a comfortable and infectious quality in his every performance. His partner, Lillian Hill has a vibrant personality that will shine more when she connects her movements to her enthusiasm and uses her back as well as executing the steps. In this performance, Jaime Reytor and Kayci Rodriguez performed the Fall section. Both lovely dancers to keep an eye on, they could have been more luscious to reflect the exotic music of the delicious Verdi score. Renee Roberts and Ramil Bagmanov are pleasing to watch. Bagmanov seemed more concerned with technical proficiency in this section than with dancing, so it was good to see him in other pieces with an occasional smile.
Glinka Suite Fantastique opened the program with a display of trios moving along the diagonal in a cool blue setting that was perfect in this warm Florida weather. Led by the very adept Aya Baba and Rodriguez with the high flying Kazuya Arima, Sara Cate Bingham, Stephanie Browning, Reytor, Roberts, Caitlyn King and Bagmanov, the series of ensemble, solos and duets were a nice showcase especially in the very meticulous unison chassés and the men’s work.
Silhouetted in a flood of red, Taiko Women, was a brief burst of technique and female power against a pulsing percussive score. Still using traditional classical steps while adding turned in walks on pointe and hops, the dancers moved in diagonals and canons in a high intensity piece that got a big burst of enthusiastic applause from the audience.
A more abstract side of Catoya and Montenegro was seen in the duet, Endless to Mahler’s hauntingly serene Adagietto from Symphony no. 5. There were wonderful organic moments and then there were double tours and pirouettes. The steps didn’t consistently work together giving the duet a choppy quality even while it was beautifully and maturely executed. Catoya and Montenegro mesh easily in their partnership.
The evening closed with A Celebration to Klimt featuring swirls of colorful Klimt patterned scarves, dynamic solos, (lovely ) and a range of well delivered tour de force. Running on and off the stage with energy and purpose could have made the work more seamless and matched the exuberant smiling individuals.
Arts Ballet Theater, with a committed leader in Issaev, well versed dancers and a range of classical offerings, is a strong presence in the South Florida dance scene. It will be interesting to see the dancers grow and the audiences invigorated as their presentations expand.
On another note, the spring dance presence is in full swing as the season winds down for the summer. DanceNow! Miami hosted an Afternoon Tea in the intimate setting of the Women’s Club of Miami Beach offering live music by the South Beach Chamber Ensemble and a preview of vignettes for its May 20 and 21 performances Backstage at the Gleason. Tea from JoJo Tea, cakes from Ana Paz and flowers by Avant Gardens in an afternoon hosted by Denise Wolpert was a perfect first glimpse into what promised to be eventful performances over the weekend.
