Joffrey "All Stars" Oct 16, 17 & 21, 2010

photo by Herbert Migdoll: After the Rain- V. Jaiani, F. Calmels

I was definitely impressed with this fall season so much so that I went three times. That is certainly not a record for me, when it comes to ballet, but it does say something about the quality of this particular program, including the dancing and music. It says I'll spend my time and money if something is worth seeing multiple times.

To sum up my thoughts, I've decided that Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto was a mixed bag for me. I thought the cor. was exceedingly difficult, esp. for the male ensemble with all those crazy, angled jumps and for the principals in their duets; one couple was slightly painful to watch as they struggled through their duet. I thought that most everyone rose to the occasion and only a few faltered. Things that I didn't like about this ballet....well, in general, when it comes to entertainment, I am greedy! I don't like having to choose whom to watch when 7 different things are happening on stage at once because I miss stuff. However, I very much enjoyed Ms Valerie Robin in Balanchine, who for me is an etoile for her continued excellence. I thought Mr Derrick Agnoletti made Balanchine look super easy to dance. Overall, there were just too many highlights to mention, and I thought the company attacked the cor. and did a great job with this difficult piece.

As for Balanchine's Tarantella, the couples were delightful and entertaining and each individual unique: Ms Anastacia Holden & Mr John Mark Giragosian; Ms Amber Neumann & Mr Graham Maverick; and Ms Neumann & Mr Giragosian.

Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain was an interesting piece because it was like 2 different ballets in one. I'm digging Mr Lucas Segovia; I thought he did well. I enjoyed Ms Yumelia Garcia, although I thought she kept getting ahead of the music and Ms Kara Zimmerman & Mr
Villanueva gave a good performance.

My favorite couple in the principal role was Ms Rocas & Mr Temur Suluashvili because both of them rose to a level of virtuosity that I found stunning and poignant; they made the lady next to me cry throughout the entire duet. Temur was just so much the "man' for me yet became very vulnerable while Christine just became sheer poetry in motion for me...... watching them dance felt very personal and that was the surprise.

Ms April Daly turned in another wonderful performance, and her partner, Mr Miguel Angel Blanco, for me lived up to all the potential that I believed he had. As for Ms Victoria Jaiani & Mr Fabrice Calmels, they, too, were stellar, but .......you know, I've seen the latter 2 couples in other performances that just couldn't be emotionally toppled for me with After the Rain.

Robbins' The Concert (Or, The Perils of Everybody) was brilliant! I loved it! Enough said.

The live music, all of the soloists, and conductor, Mr Scott Speck, were also brilliant!

Bravissimo to the Joffrey Ballet, all the musicians and supporting staff!!

p.s.- Ms Victoria Jaiani & Mr Fabrice Calmels are two of my favorite etoiles, and I would be remiss not to mention that I love 'em or that their combined performances were brilliant!