Monday, October 5, 2009

Dance Review: Smuin Ballet's "Soon These Two Worlds"

A genuine sweetness pervades Amy Seiwert's carefree new ballet, "Soon These Two Worlds," which Smuin Ballet premiered Friday night at the Palace of Fine Arts.

Perhaps it sounds dismissive to call something "sweet" these days, but Seiwert's latest is a genuinely upbeat diversion that melds solidly structured energy with a fresh, sunny disposition.

Lit with a dusky, afternoon glow by David K.H. Elliott, the six couples have the vibe of companionable friends, perhaps celebrating after a long workday - individuals make their own interpretations of Seiwert's complex steps, but everyone is dancing to the same purpose.

Although there's a hint of African influence in Christine Darch's vibrantly striped tights and skirts - which elicit a pleasant dizziness as the dancers twirl, like watching the slots of a zoetrope go 'round - and an unmistakable African dance flavor to the rounded arm swoops and hip accents, the overall effect of the choreography is 100 percent Seiwert.

Read more at the SF Chronicle website.

No comments: